The President of SPIE – the international society for optics and photonics – accompanied by SPIE CEO Dr Eugene Arthurs met with the college’s Optical Society, which is an affiliated SPIE student chapter, to discuss their work in bringing together researchers in the field of optics and photonics at Imperial and promoting the science and application of light to the wider community.

In recent years, the society has been active in exhibiting at national science fairs and demonstrating optical science and applications to local schools. Imperial College has also been designated as one of eight partners for an EU-funded ‘GoPhoton!’ initiative to raise awareness about the importance of photonics and the college is set to play a significant role in outreach work for the International Year of Light in 2015. In preparation for this, Dr Stahl presented Imperial’s GoPhoton! programme leader and SPIE Fellow Prof. Martin McCall with an official SPIE tie!

In addition to his role as SPIE President, Dr Stahl is a senior optical physicist at NASA, leading a study on mirror technology for the new James Webb Space Telescope. As part of the visit, he delivered a lively seminar examining the optical engineering and implications of this device on answering fundamental questions about our Universe. 

Dr Stahl was also keen to meet with Emeritus Professor Sir Tom Kibble, who was recently knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Overall, Dr Stahl’s visit provided a fascinating insight into the cutting-edge research at NASA and offered fresh ideas for Imperial’s role in the International Year of Light. Watch this space for further details…

The Imperial College London Optical Society will also be exhibiting at The Big Bang @ Sutton Grammar School on 8th July for pre-university students.