Scientists from around the world specialising in spectroscopy, the physics and chemistry of materials, and modern photonic technologies will gather at the University of Gdańsk for the International Workshop on Advanced Spectroscopy and Optical Materials. This is the ninth edition of the IWASOM conference, which will take place from 5 to 10 July at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics at the University of Gdańsk.

‘The conference programme covers advanced spectroscopic methods, modern optical materials, nanomaterials and metamaterials, and their applications in optoelectronics, lighting technology, photovoltaics, optical communications, and medical diagnostics and therapy,’ says dr Tadeusz Leśniewski, secretary of the conference organising committee.

Students, PhD candidates and early-career researchers feature prominently in this year’s programme. Thanks to funding awarded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education under the ‘Excellent Science II - Support for Scientific Conferences’ programme, participants at the start of their research careers can benefit from preferential conference fees and free accommodation. The organisers emphasise that this support is intended to make it easier for young researchers to take part in international knowledge exchange and to establish contacts with leading specialists from around the world.

One of the highlights of this year’s conference will be a session dedicated to the memory of Prof. Andrzej Suchocki, an eminent physicist, a world-class specialist in the field of materials spectroscopy and a long-standing co-chair of the IWASOM conference, who passed away last year. For over four decades, the professor conducted research into the optical properties of materials used in modern optoelectronics and photonic technologies. He was a highly regarded mentor to young scientists and a key figure in establishing the international standing of the conference, which has been held at the University of Gdańsk for many years.

In addition to plenary lectures and thematic sessions, the programme includes poster presentations and networking events designed to foster international scientific collaboration.

The IWASOM International Conference has for years served as a forum for the exchange of experiences between physicists, chemists, materials engineers and specialists in the field of photonics. The meeting at the University of Gdańsk will provide an opportunity to present the latest research findings and to establish collaborations that may lead to the development of innovative technologies utilising light.

Further information: www.iwasom.ug.edu.pl

Spectroscopy involves studying how matter interacts with light and other types of electromagnetic radiation. This enables scientists to determine the chemical composition of materials and understand their structure and physical properties.

Spectroscopy is used, amongst other things, for:

• identifying substances - e.g. detecting pollutants or determining chemical composition,
• researching new materials used in electronics, photonics and the energy sector,
• designing more efficient solar cells, lasers and LEDs,
• medical diagnostics, e.g. tissue analysis and the detection of pathological changes,
• environmental protection, including the monitoring of air and water pollution,
• forensic science and the conservation of works of art, helping to analyse samples without damaging them.