60 Years: Advocacy, Community, Empowerment - The IEEE Photonics Society

60 Years: Advocacy, Community, Empowerment - The IEEE Photonics Society
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60 Years:
Advocacy. Community. Empowerment.
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60 Years: Advocacy, Community, Empowerment
This timeline showcases the IEEE Photonics Society’s six decades of innovation, growth, and leadership in the field of Photonics, marking a journey from its origins in quantum electronics to becoming a global leader in photonics technology.
1960s
1960s
Foundations of Quantum Electronics
1960s
1970s
1970s
Establishing the Quantum Electronics and Applications Society (QEAS)
1970s
1980s
1980s
Growth and Evolution as LEOS
1980s
1990s
1990s
Expansion and Globalization
1990s
2000s
2000s
Strengthening and Rebranding
2000s
2010s
2010s
Leadership and Innovation
2010s
2020s
2020s
Adapting and Thriving Amidst Challenges
2020s
Join Us in Celebrating the IEEE Photonics Society’s 60th Anniversary
We invite our volunteers, Chapters, Student Branches, Council Chapters (Sensors and Nanotechnology), and Affinity Groups to spread the word and organize events that honor our remarkable journey in photonics and our ongoing mission of Advocacy, Community, and Empowerment.
Let’s unite to highlight the critical role of light-based technologies, while also recognizing the scientific leaders who have shaped the field and contributed to the growth of our Society. Events can be held online or in person, globally, throughout 2025.
Make the most of the 60th Anniversary toolkit, which offers ready-to-use materials, i.e., logos, banners, virtual backgrounds and templates, to help promote your celebrations and engage your local community and members.
Chapter Chairs:
Don’t forget to register your event through
vTools
and use the hashtag #IEEEPhotonics60 to amplify our celebration on social media!
60th Anniversary Toolkit
1960s
Foundations of Quantum Electronics
Early 1960s
Early 1960s:
Quantum electronics, primarily the domain of physicists, began gaining interest among electrical engineers and the most relevant papers were published in physics journals. It was a paper on laser theory,
“Infrared and Optical Masers”
, published in 1958, by
Charles Townes
, IEEE Life Fellow, and Arthur Schawlow, IEEE Fellow, that spurred the race to build the first working laser.
Early 1960s
1960
1960:
Known as the “Father of Fiber Optic Communications,”
Charles Kao
, IEEE Life Fellow,
revolutionized the field
by demonstrating that optical fibers could be used for long-distance communication. Meanwhile,
Theodore H. Maiman
invented the
first functional laser
, sparking the laser boom. By 1961, the first commercial laser hit the market.
1960
1961
1961:
Elias (Eli) Snitzer, IEEE Life Fellow, and colleagues constructed and operated the world’s
first optical fiber laser
, dedicated as an IEEE Milestone later in 2012.
1961
1962
1962:
General Electric’s Schenectady and Syracuse facilities, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory each independently reported the first demonstrations of the Semiconductor Laser. Later dedicated as an IEEE Milestone in 2024, with a plaque marking the achievement installed at each facility.
1962
1964
1964:
Glen Wade, Editor of IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, introduced quantum electronics to the journal, with Eugene I. Gordon, IEEE Fellow, as Associate Editor. A Special Issue on Quantum Electronics was planned.
1964
1965
1965:
The Special Issue became the basis for the first issue of the
IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
. The Electron Devices and Microwave Theory and Techniques Groups co-sponsored the journal, leading to the creation of the
Quantum Electronics Council
(QEC).
1965
1967
1967:
The QEC held its first technical meeting in June, which became the forerunner of the present day
CLEO
. In the same year, Charles Townes received the IEEE Medal of Honor for
“significant contributions in the field of quantum electronics which have led to the maser and the laser.”
1967
1969
1969:
Apollo 11 Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment
(LURE) was conducted where researchers fired a gigawatt ruby laser at a retro-reflector array placed on the Moon by astronauts, and measured the time delay in detecting the reflected pulse. This was later celebrated as an IEEE Milestone in 2019.
1969
1970s
Establishing the Quantum Electronics and Applications Society (QEAS)
1975
1975:
The establishment of the Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) Conference quickly became the premier global event for optical networking and fiber technology. OFC has since served as a cornerstone for the photonics community, fostering groundbreaking advancements in optical communications and enabling innovations that shape industries worldwide.
1975
1977
1977:
The Quantum Electronics Council evolved into the
Quantum Electronics and Applications Society
(QEAS). Henry Kressel, IEEE Life Fellow, became the first President.
1977
1980s
Growth and Evolution as LEOS
1983
1983:
The
Journal of Lightwave Technology
was established, reflecting the growing importance of optical communications.
1983
1985 – 1986
1985 – 1986:
QEAS became the IEEE
Lasers and Electro-Optics Society
(LEOS) with significant membership growth. Major conferences, such as CLEO/IQEC and OFC gained prominence and the
John Tyndall Award
was created to honor contributions to optical-fiber technology.
1985 – 1986
1987 – 1988
1987 – 1988:
LEOS expanded its services, holding its first Annual Meeting in 1988 (now the IEEE Photonics Conference) and launching new publications, such as
IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
1987 – 1988
1989
1989:
Nick Holonyak Jr.
, LED pioneer, was awarded the IEEE Edison Medal for his
“outstanding career in electrical engineering and contributions to major advances in semiconductor materials and devices,”
followed by the IEEE Medal of Honor in 2003. In 2023, the
IEEE Nick Holonyak Jr. Medal for Semiconductor Optoelectronic Technologies
was established in his honor.
1989
1990s
Expansion and Globalization
1990 – 1991
1990 – 1991:
New awards were introduced and the LEOS Board of Governors was established. The Society also organized the first successful
Summer Topicals Meeting Series
1990 – 1991
1993
1993:
Suzanne R. Nagel became the first woman to serve as president of LEOS, representing a significant milestone for diversity and inclusive leadership within the organization.
1993
1994 – 1998
1994 – 1998:
LEOS hosted its first international conferences, including CLEO/Europe and CLEO/Pacific Rim, and introduced the
IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics
. In turn, the Society expanded globally with new chapters and members in Europe and Asia, and it began offering journals on CD-ROM.
1994 – 1998
2000s
Strengthening and Rebranding
2000 – 2003
2000 – 2003:
LEOS became the fastest-growing Society within the IEEE, adopting a new mission statement and continued expansion in services for its membership. It also introduced the
IEEE Photonics Award
2000 – 2003
2008 – 2009
2008 – 2009:
LEOS was rebranded as the IEEE Photonics Society, adopting a new name and logo to expand its focus and better reflect growing technical interests in the field. Additionally, the
Photonics Journal
, IEEE’s first rapid online-only publication, was launched.
2008 – 2009
2010s
Leadership and Innovation
2010 – 2011
2010 – 2011:
The Society began streaming conferences online and shifted its focus to open access and rapid publication to enhance accessibility and accelerate the dissemination of technical knowledge.
2010 – 2011
2012 – 2014
2012 – 2014:
The IEEE Photonics Journal became IEEE’s first open-access publication, with Carmen Menoni, IEEE Fellow, as its inaugural Editor-in-Chief. The Society also launched the
IEEE Women in Photonics
initiative to support the advancement of women in the field.
2012 – 2014
2015
2015:
JQE celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the Society served as a founding partner of the
UNESCO International Year of Light
(IYL), coordinating global celebrations of light’s significance in science. IYL is now celebrated annually as the
UNESCO International Day of Light
(IDL) on May 16th.
2015
2020s
Adapting and Thriving Amidst Challenges
2020 – 2021
2020 – 2021:
The Society navigated the challenges of the pandemic by converting conferences to virtual events, increasing membership, and launching new programs focused on professional and technical development.
2020 – 2021
2022
2022:
The Society’s print newsletter, in circulation since 1987, transitioned to an online format and was rebranded as the
IEEE Photonics Newsroom
2022
2023
2023:
The IEEE Group IV Photonics Conference was rebranded as the
IEEE Silicon Photonics Conference
to emphasize the growing impact of silicon photonics on communications, data centers, health technology and more.
2023
2025
2025:
The United Nations declared 2025 the
International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
(IYQ) to mark the 100th anniversary of the development of quantum mechanics, with IEEE and Society serving as a Distinguished Partner.
2025