First International Conference on Photonic Research for Industry (ICPRI 2026)

ICPRI 2026

ICPRI 2026 aims to create a unique international platform for researchers, engineers, and industry leaders to exchange ideas, foster collaborations, and explore the future of photonics. We are proud to bring together experts and innovators from across Europe, South America, Africa and all other countries around the world to share their latest findings and discuss the challenges and opportunities in transitioning photonic technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace.

We are delighted to invite you to Santiago de Chile for an event dedicated to bridging the gap between cutting-edge photonic research and industrial applications.

The conference will take place from
March 2nd to March 6th, 2026, at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago de Chile 

It will serve as a crucial forum for participants from all over the world to present their work, build new partnerships, and strengthen existing collaborations between continents.

Join us for a week of insightful presentations, stimulating discussions, and valuable networking opportunities in the vibrant city of Santiago.

The conference is centered around the theme "Photonic Research for Industry." Its primary goal is to showcase state-of-the-art research in optics and photonics and to highlight its practical applications and potential for industrial commercialization. As the inaugural meeting, ICPRI 2026 will lay the groundwork for a lasting international network of academic and industrial partners.

The program will feature keynote speakers, invited talks, and contributed oral and poster presentations focusing on a wide range of topics where photonics is a key enabling technology.

  • Laser systems and applications
  • Optical sensors and metrology for industrial processes
  • Photonic materials and devices
  • Optical imaging and inspection
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Quantum technologies and their applications
  • Telecommunications and optical networks
  • Renewable energy and photovoltaics
  • Biophotonics and medical applications

We invite you to submit an abstract for an oral presentation and share your latest research and innovations with a diverse, international audience. This is an excellent opportunity to get feedback from peers and industry experts.

Submission Guidelines:

  • Abstracts must be written in English (not more than 2000 characters).
  • The abstract should clearly state the objectives, methodology, results, and conclusions of your work.
  • Please submit your abstract in a PDF format.

How to Submit:

  • Please send your abstract as an email attachment to: swallen@uc.cl

Abstract Submission Deadline:

  • All abstracts must be received by December 31, 2025.
  • Authors will be notified of acceptance by mid-January 2026.

Industry

Dr. Christian Brock, Optocraft, Optical Metrology (https://www.optocraft.de/) - "Wave front sensing"

Academia

Prof. Dr. Anne Harth, Aalen Unviersity (www.hs-aalen.de/zot) - "Light Matter interaction"

08:00 - 09:00 Registration

09:00 - 10:30 Plenary Session 1

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:30 Oral Presentations 1

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch

13:30 - 15:00 Oral Presentations 2

15:00 - 15:30 Coffe Break

15:30 - 17:00 Poster Session 1

08:00 - 09:00 Registration

09:00 - 10:30 Plenary Session 2

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:30 Oral Presentations 3

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch

13:30 - 15:00 Oral Presentations 4

15:00 - 15:30 Coffe Break

15:30 - 17:00 Lab Tour

08:00 - 09:00 Registration

09:00 - 10:30 Plenary Session 3

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:30 Oral Presentations 5

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch

13:30 - 17:00 Social Event

19:00 Converence Dinner

08:00 - 09:00 Registration

09:00 - 10:30 Plenary Session 4

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:30 Oral Presentations 6

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch

13:30 - 15:00 Oral Presentations 7

15:00 - 15:30 Coffe Break

15:30 - 17:00 Poster Session 2

08:00 - 09:00 Registration

09:00 - 10:30 Plenary Session 5

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:30 Oral Presentations 8

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch

13:30 Closing Remarks

Registration is open to all members of the Photonic community. 

All attendees, including speakers, must register for the conference.  

In order to register, please send an email to: Andreas.Heinrich@hs-aalen.de

You will receive a confirmation asap.

There is no conference fee.

The aim of the conference is to make it accessible to everyone.
For this reason, the conference is made possible by the voluntary work of members of the three institutes (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Facultad de Física; National Polytechnique Institute (INP-HB), Laboratory of Instrumentation Image and Spectroscopy (L2IS) and Aalen University, Centre for Optical Technologies).
In addition, the conference is financially supported by the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

International participants will arrive at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), located approximately 20 km from central Santiago. The airport is modern, with multilingual signage and a range of transportation services.

Official Airport Taxi Service
For a safe and convenient transfer to your accommodation, we recommend using the Official Taxi Service, available directly inside the arrivals hall. This service offers:

  • Fixed fares based on your destination
  • Licensed drivers regulated by the Chilean Ministry of Transport
  • 24/7 availability
  • Payment options including cash and credit card

To use this service, approach the ground transportation desk in the arrivals area, where you can prepay your fare and receive a voucher with your destination and assigned taxi stand. Fares to central neighborhoods such as Providencia, Ñuñoa, or Lastarria typically range from CLP 20000–25000 (approx. USD 20–25).

⚠️ Please avoid accepting unsolicited taxi offers inside the terminal. Use only the official counters for safety and transparency.

Rather than listing specific hotels, we suggest staying in one of the following well-connected and culturally vibrant neighborhoods, each offering a variety of lodging options, restaurants, and easy access to the San Joaquín Campus:

  • Providencia: A safe and lively district with cafés, bookstores, and excellent metro access. Ideal for first-time visitors.
  • Lastarria & Bellas Artes: Known for their bohemian charm, art galleries, and proximity to museums and theaters.
  • Barrio Italia: A trendy neighborhood with boutique shops, design studios, and a vibrant culinary scene.

All these neighborhoods are connected to the San Joaquín Campus via Metro Lines 1 and 5. The closest station to the campus is San Joaquín, located just a short walk from the campus entrance.

Santiago offers a modern and efficient public transportation system:

  • Metro: Clean, safe, and punctual. Operates from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
  • Buses: Integrated with the metro system.
  • BIP! Card: Required for all public transport. Available at metro stations for ~CLP 1550 (aprox. USD 1,5) and rechargeable as needed. Fares are of the order of CLP 800 (aprox. USD 0,8).
  • Ride-sharing apps: Uber and Cabify are widely used. Also official taxis (black car with yellow roof) can be taken at any place. A ride from Santiago center to the San Joaquín campus is of the order of CLP 8000 (aprox. USD 8).

Please note that CLP 1000 is aproximately USD 1. Apart from official taxis that you may take directly in the street and pay in cash, nearly everything can be paid by use of credit cards. The usual tip in restaurants is 10% and is often already included in the bill or asked for by the waiter.

Santiago offers a rich and diverse culinary scene that reflects both Chilean traditions and international influences. Visitors will find everything from street food to fine dining, with options to suit every taste and budget.

Traditional Chilean Cuisine
Enjoy classics like empanadas, pastel de choclo (corn pie), cazuela (meat and vegetable stew), and fresh seafood from Chile’s long coastline. Local markets such as La Vega Central and Mercado Central are great places to sample authentic flavors.

International Options
Santiago is home to a wide range of international cuisines, including Italian, Peruvian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and Chinese. Neighborhoods like Providencia, Ñuñoa, and Bellavista offer a vibrant mix of restaurants and cafés.

Vegetarian and Vegan Choices
Plant-based dining is increasingly popular, with many restaurants offering vegetarian and vegan menus, especially in trendy areas like Barrio Italia and Lastarria.

Coffee and Bakeries
Chilean coffee culture is growing, with specialty cafés serving high-quality brews. Bakeries and pastry shops offer local treats such as alfajores, pan de huevo, and kuchen, reflecting German and Spanish influences.

Wine and Pisco
Chile is renowned for its wines, and many restaurants offer excellent local selections. Don’t miss trying a pisco sour, Chile’s national cocktail, made from grape brandy, lemon juice, and sugar.

During your stay, you may wish to explore Santiago’s cultural and natural attractions:

  • Cerro San Cristóbal: Panoramic views, cable car, and funicular access.
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino: A world-class museum of indigenous art.
  • Barrio Lastarria: A cultural hub with cafés, galleries, and historic architecture.
  • Cajón del Maipo: A nearby valley offering hiking, hot springs, and scenic landscapes.

Chile offers an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and experiences, stretching over 4,300 km from the driest desert in the world to the icy fjords of Patagonia.

Atacama Desert (North): Explore surreal landscapes of salt flats, geysers, and lunar valleys. Visit San Pedro de Atacama for stargazing, hot springs, and archaeological sites.

  • Elqui Valley (North-Central): A tranquil region known for its vineyards, pisco distilleries, and clear skies—ideal for astronomical tourism.
  • Valparaíso & Viña del Mar (Central Coast): Valparaíso enchants with its colorful hills, street art, and bohemian vibe, while Viña offers beaches and seaside charm.
  • Santiago & Surroundings (Central): The capital city blends modern life with Andean views. Nearby, explore Cajón del Maipo for hiking and hot springs.
  • Lake District (South-Central): A lush region of volcanoes, lakes, and forests. Cities like Puerto Varas and Pucón offer outdoor adventures and German-influenced culture.
  • Chiloé Archipelago: Known for its wooden churches, mythology, and unique architecture. A place of misty landscapes and rich traditions.
  • Patagonia (Far South): Home to Torres del Paine National Park, glaciers, and dramatic mountain scenery. Ideal for trekking, wildlife watching, and photography.
  • Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn: Remote and windswept, this region marks the southernmost tip of South America, accessible via Punta Arenas.
  • Easter Island (Rapa Nui): Located far out in the Pacific, this UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its mysterious moai statues and Polynesian culture.

The conference is organised by three institutes from three different continents (South America, Africa and Europe).

South America:

Prof. Dr. Sascha Wallentowitz, Facultad de Física, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (https://fisica.uc.cl/)

Africa:

Prof. Dr. J. Thouakesseh Zoueu, Laboratory of Instrumentation Image and Spectroscopy (L2IS), National Polytechnique Institute (INP-HB)

Europe:

Prof. Dr. Anne Harth, Center for Optical Technologies, Aalen University (https://hs-aalen.de/aasap)

Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinrich, Center for Optical Technologies, Aalen Univeristy (https://hs-aalen.de/aasap)