Affairs get underway at the Light Conference 2024. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The Light Conference 2024 – co-hosted by UNESCO's International Day of Light Committee and the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics – stole the limelight when it opened on June 18 in Changchun, Jilin province.

The prestigious ongoing event covers 11 themes, including optical precision measurements, biophotonics, the metaverse/VR/AR and advanced optical devices and systems.

It has attracted the participation of over 800 participants from 18 countries and regions, offering a high-quality platform for academic exchange and intellectual engagements.

Known as the cradle of Chinese optics, the Changchun institute has grown into a leader in scientific research, technology transfers and cutting-edge education over its 72-year history.

Leveraging its respected academic journal the Light brand journal series, it has established extensive collaborations with top global research institutions.

Academician Zhang Xuejun emphasized the institute's commitment to promoting international academic exchanges and cooperation in optics – hoping to explore limitless possibilities in the field through the conference.

Academician Zhang Xuejun addresses the conference. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

Since its inception in 2011, the Light Conference has been held 14 times, attracting over 6,000 scientists from more than 30 countries – becoming a leading event in the international optics community.

The conference's flexible special issue mechanism and collaborations with prestigious universities like Harvard, Oxford and Tsinghua University have led to the publication of numerous top-tier research papers.

The opening ceremony featured the 2023 Light10 Awards, recognizing the top 10 socially impactful events in Chinese optics, along with awards for outstanding editors, reviewers and papers.

Following the ceremony, top experts delivered keynote speeches on cutting-edge topics, showcasing the latest in advances and fostering discussions in the field of optics.

Martin Booth, professor of Optical and Photonic Engineering at the University of Oxford in the UK, delivers the opening address at the conference. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]