As President of the IEEE Photonics Society, I am proud to share that our collective vision strongly aligns with the IEEE Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, now in its implementation phase following last year’s organizational refresh. This forward-looking plan reinforces our dedication to advancing photonics responsibly, promoting interdisciplinary innovation, and inspiring the next generation of technologists through integrity and global community engagement. It provides a clear and compelling roadmap for how our Society can continue to grow and make a lasting impact in the dynamic world of photonics and beyond.
The six strategic goals outlined by IEEE serve as guiding principles for us all:
- Advance science and technology as a leading trusted source of information for research, development, standards, and public policy
- Drive technological innovation while promoting scientific integrity and the ethical development and use of technology
- Provide opportunities for technology-related interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and knowledge sharing across industry, academia, and government
- Inspire intellectual curiosity and support discovery and invention to engage the next generation of technology innovators
- Expand public awareness of the significant role that engineering, science, and technology play across the globe
- Empower technology professionals in their careers through ongoing education, mentoring, networking, and lifelong engagement
Additional resources are available in the Strategic Plan Toolkit, accessible through the IEEE Brand Experience.
Aligned with these strategic objectives, our Society is actively working to bridge language barriers and standardization gaps that may hinder collaboration across regions. By fostering seamless cooperation among our international regions/sections and establishing strong partnerships with global optics and photonics sister society organizations, we aim to strengthen our collective presence and influence. Initiatives such as creating a Society promotional video and providing standardized multilingual materials empower our volunteers worldwide, allowing them to effectively advocate for our community and grow local chapters.
Furthermore, understanding the vital role industry plays in innovation, we seek to deepen collaborations with industrial stakeholders. Beyond traditional conferences, we are exploring new avenues for dialogue, joint training programs, and industry-led initiatives that benefit both academia and industry partners. We also recognize the vibrancy and ingenuity of our young professionals. Supporting their career aspirations, helping them develop a professional identity, and connecting them through networks and mentorship are priorities that will ensure lifelong engagement and leadership development within our society.
I invite each of you to join us in realizing these goals. Your active participation, innovative ideas, and shared commitment will be instrumental as we work together to uphold the values and vision of IEEE and the Photonics Society. Together, we can shape a future where photonics continues to inspire, innovate, and impact society positively.
OFC 2025 Sets a Record and a New Standard
It is with great enthusiasm that I share my impressions from the recent Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC) held from March 15 to 19, 2025, in San Francisco. As the premier global forum for optical communications and networking professionals, OFC 2025 once again demonstrated the vibrant innovation and vigorous industry engagement that define our field.
This year’s conference attracted a record-breaking attendance of nearly 17,000 participants and featured 685 exhibitors from 83 countries—a clear testament to the global reach and significance of optical communications. Notably, this was the largest OFC Exhibition in over two decades, underscoring the tremendous pace of technological advancement and industry investment.
The technical program comprised 118 sessions, offering invaluable insights into the latest research and emerging trends. Over 800 invited and contributed talks covered a broad spectrum—from the role of optics in satellite constellations and inter-satellite mesh networking to pioneering developments in space-to-ground optical links using hollow core fiber. These sessions highlighted how optical communications are extending beyond traditional terrestrial networks, supporting the expanding demands of space, 5G, and data center connectivity.
The exhibition floor was equally dynamic, showcasing a vibrant array of innovations that span the entire optical communications supply chain. From global technology leaders to innovative startups and research institutions, exhibitors presented breakthroughs that are shaping the future of connectivity, sustainability, and digital transformation. Some of the key technological highlights included:
- Coherent Transmission Systems: Exhibitors displayed major advancements in 1.6T and 3.2T coherent systems. These systems leverage cutting-edge digital signal processing (DSP) technology to achieve a 35% reduction in power consumption while significantly increasing capacity. Such progress is vital for long-haul, metro, and data center interconnect applications.
- Co-Packaged Optics (CPO): The CPO ecosystem is rapidly maturing, with key components and integration strategies showcased across the industry. While widespread deployment remains on the horizon, the demonstrated innovations in integrating optics directly with semiconductor chips point toward a future where high-performance, energy-efficient data centers and high-performance computing will heavily rely on CPO solutions.
- Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs): The exhibition emphasized the growing maturity of integrated photonics, with vendors unveiling PIC solutions tailored for artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. Enhanced integration density and improved energy efficiency are key factors driving their adoption in next-generation data centers.
- Component and Test Solutions: Optical component providers and test equipment companies introduced comprehensive validation platforms for 800G networks. These tools facilitate faster deployment, automated testing, and precise high-speed optical measurements, supporting the rapid scaling of optical infrastructure.
- Network Automation and Intelligence: Several exhibitors presented advanced management solutions that incorporate artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance and automated network optimization. These innovations promise to elevate network reliability and reduce operational complexity—a critical need as networks become increasingly complex and mission-critical.
- Hollow Core Fiber (HCF): Perhaps the most talked-about innovation was the emergence of hollow core fiber technologies. By allowing light to propagate through air rather than solid glass, HCF promises unrivaled reductions in latency and boosts in transmission speed. Exhibitors showcased commercial-ready HCF solutions, with exciting applications in high-frequency trading, 5G transport, and data center interconnects.
In summary, OFC 2025 has reinforced the vital role of photonics technology in advancing global communications infrastructure. It highlighted how innovations—ranging from integrated photonics and coherent systems to novel fiber designs—are collectively driving progress toward faster, more efficient, and more sustainable networks.
Showcasing Award Winning Breakthroughs and Contributions
During the conference, we had the distinct honor of recognizing outstanding contributions to our field through several prestigious awards, celebrating the achievements of exceptional individuals whose work continues to shape the future of photonics and optical communications. Becoming an IEEE Fellow is one of the highest honors bestowed by the Institute, limited to a select group of members whose technical, educational, and leadership accomplishments have made a significant impact on the field. Below we are proud to announce the following newly elevated IEEE Fellows affiliated with the IEEE Photonics Society.
The John Tyndall Award was also presented and stands as one of the highest honors in fiber optic technology. This award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to any area of optical fiber technology. This year, the award was bestowed upon Masatoshi Suzuki from the Chitose Institute of Science and Technology. Masatoshi’s pioneering work encompasses large-capacity, long-haul optical communication systems, including the development of integrated light sources, dispersion-managed solitons, WDM submarine cable systems, and spatial multiplexing. His innovations have laid the technological foundation for modern high-capacity networks, enabling faster, more reliable global connectivity. As Vice President of the Chitose Institute, his visionary contributions serve as an enduring inspiration for future generations of researchers and engineers striving to push the boundaries of optical communications.
In addition, our society’s most prestigious technical field award, the IEEE Photonics Award, was presented recognizing outstanding achievements in photonics. This year, it was awarded to David Richardson of Microsoft, in recognition of his transformative work on fiber lasers, fiber telecommunications, and hollow-core optical fibers. David is a Partner Researcher at Microsoft and a pioneer whose efforts have significantly advanced the capacity and performance of optical communication networks. His leadership has extended the performance limits of fiber lasers and fiber-based technologies, driving progress toward faster, more efficient systems that meet the demands of modern data transmission. Additionally, David has contributed extensively to the community through leadership roles, including serving as Technical Program Chair and General Chair for OFC, guiding the direction of our field and inspiring new innovations.
These awards highlight the exceptional talent and groundbreaking work that continue to propel our society forward. Please join me in congratulating all of the awardees for their outstanding contributions, which inspire us all to pursue excellence and innovation in photonics.
Looking Ahead to OFC 2026
I also want to bring your attention to OFC 2026, which is scheduled to take place from March 15-19, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. Mark your calendars now! California is a vibrant hub of technology and innovation, and I am confident that OFC 2026 will provide an even more exciting and engaging experience, with new breakthroughs and opportunities for collaboration. I strongly encourage you to participate and contribute to what promises to be another landmark event.
As members of the IEEE Photonics Society, we stand at the forefront of this exciting evolution. I encourage everyone to stay engaged with these technological developments and continue contributing to the vibrant community that makes such progress possible.
Together, we will shape the future of optical communications, empowering a connected world built on a foundation of photonics excellence.
Warm regards,
Perry Shum, Ph.D.
President (2024-2025)
IEEE Photonics Society
shum@ieee.org
