A Symposium on the Past and Future of Photonics

Guest of Honor & Host - Dr. John Bowers

Co-Hosts: Alexis Bjorlin, Alex Fang, Olivier Jerphagnon, Rich Mirin, & Radha Nagarajan

Welcome to the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Institute for Energy Efficiency at Henley Hall! Join us for a day filled with insightful discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities centered around the cutting-edge fields of silicon photonics and AI. Engage with leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals as we delve into the future possibilities and advancements in these rapidly evolving technologies. Don't miss this chance to be part of shaping the future! Reserve your spot now.

Event Logistics and FAQ

Lodging Options -

Best Western South Coast Inn

Reservations: guests can book their reservations in any of these ways:

1. Call the hotel directly at (805) 967-3200 and give the BOWERS SYMPOSIUM group name.
2. Book through BestWestern.com using this link.

Group rates:

Thursday 5/22 $169.00 per room per night, plus 14.195%

Friday 5/23 $246.00 per room per night, plus 14.195%

Saturday 5/24 $246.00 per room per night, plus 14.195%

Sunday 5/25 $246.00 per room per night, plus 14.195%

Cutoff date: April 22, 2025; the rooms not reserved will be automatically released and the rate will no longer apply.

Cancellation Policy: you may cancel your reservation for no charge before 04:00 PM local hotel time 24 hours prior to arrival. Parking: complimentary

The Club & Guest House

Reservations: guests can book their reservations online using group code BOWERSYMP25 after selecting stay dates:

1. Visit The Club & Guest House’s website https://www.theclub.ucsb.edu/Stay

2. Select "Stay"

3. Click on "Book Now"

4. Select your check-in and check-out dates, then click “Update.”

5. Locate the Group Code, and click on “Enter it now.”

6. Enter GROUP CODE: BOWERSYMP25 (DO NOT USE: PROMO CODE)

7. This will populate the Room Block’s available rooms.

8. Select your room preference, click the book now, and agree to the terms and conditions. Then add your reservation details.

9. Add your payment information.

10. Click “Reserve,” and you will receive a confirmation email.

Group rates:

Thursday 5/22 $255.00 per room per night, plus 14.195%

Friday 5/23 $255.00 per room per night, plus 14.195%

Cutoff date: April 22, 2025; reservations made after this date are subject to availability.

Cancellation Policy: cancel by 4:00pm local hotel time at least 48 hours prior to arrival to avoid a 1 night(s) cancellation penalty charge. Parking: not included in nightly rate; guests will receive additional information on how to use code Clubpark to purchase parking with their confirmation email and at check in.

Hilton Garden Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta

Reservations: guests can book their reservations in any of these ways:

1. Call the hotel directly at (805) 562-5996 and give the UCSB IEE BOWERS SYMPOSIUM group name
2. Book through Hilton.com using this link:

Group rates:

Thursday 5/22 $249.00 per room per night, plus 12%

Friday 5/23 $249.00 per room per night, plus 12%

Saturday 5/24 $299.00 per room per night, plus 12%

Sunday 5/25 $299.00 per room per night, plus 12%

Cutoff date: April 22, 2025; the rooms not reserved will be automatically released and the rate will no longer apply.

Cancellation Policy: you may cancel your reservation for no charge before 11:59 PM local hotel time on 21 May 2025. Parking: $15.00/night

Parking Instructions - (see map below)

Guests who do not Uber or Taxi to campus will be directed via campus sigange to Lot 18.

Henley Hall is located a short walk from this parking lot and campus parking personnel will be on-site to direct you (as well as additional signage).

Taxi Information:

Paradise Cab: (805) 377-1112
Rose Cab: (805) 564-2600
Santa Barbara Yellow Cab: (805) 965-5111

If you have any accessibility needs or require special accommodations please reach out to IEE Assistant Director, Jenna Craig at jennabcraig@ucsb.edu. For additional information on location and directions please visit the IEE website.

Symposium Agenda

8:00 a.m. - Registration & Light Refreshments

9:00 a.m. - Introduction & Welcome Remarks - Chancellor Henry Yang, John Bowers, Dean Umesh Mishra, Steve Denbaars

9:15 a.m. - Panel I: Early Days: High Speed & Mode Locking, Moderator: Radha Nagarajan

Panelists: Dennis Derickson, Roger Helkey, Toru Fukushima, Chi Kuang Sun, Yijen Chiu

10:00 a.m. - Panel II: VCSELs, Moderator: Rich Mirin

Panelists: Waguih Ishak, Rajeev Ram, Near Margalit, Staffan Bjorlin, Wenbin Jiang

10:45 a.m. - AM Break

11:15 a.m. - Panel III: Entrepreneurship, Moderator: Olivier Jerphagnon

Panelists: John Macfarlane, Paul Leonardi, Kevin Welsh, Jon Geske, Aaron Hawkins

Noon - Catered Lunch in the Henley Garden

1:00 p.m. - Panel IV: Silicon Photonics, Moderator: Alex Fang

Panelists: Roel Baets, Kerry Vahala, Brian Koch, Di Liang, Martijn Heck, Matt Sysak

1:50 p.m. - Panel V: AI & Integrated Photonic Circuits, Moderator: Alexis Bjorlin

Panelists: Katharine Schmidke, Tin Komljenovic, Chong Zhang, Manish Mehta, Yating Wan, Chao Xiang, Luke Theogarajan

2:40 p.m. - PM Break + Group Photo Op

3:15 p.m. - Panel VI: Big Picture, Moderator: Evelyn Hu

Panelists: Larry Coldren, Doug Baney, Archie Holmes, Lin Chang, Ali Shakouri, Eric Bowers, Steve Bowers, Galan Moody

4:15 p.m. - Cocktail Hour

5:00 p.m. - Dinner Reception