Nonimaging Optics Conference

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Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Concentration XXI

Part of SPIE Optics + Photonics 2026
San Diego, California, USA · 23–27 August 2026

Next Up

Call for Papers

Submit your research for the 2026 conference! Abstract deadline: February 11, 2026

Submit Abstract

About the Conference

The Nonimaging Optics conference at SPIE Optics + Photonics is the main annual meeting for researchers in nonimaging optics, illumination design, and solar concentration optics. We feature presentations ranging from foundational theory to cutting-edge applications.

Join us for our online minisymposium on December 8, 2025, and for the full conference in San Diego in August 2026!

Abstract Deadline

11 February 2026

Author Notification

4 May 2026

Manuscript Deadline

5 August 2026

Conference Dates

23-27 August 2026

Call for Papers

Do you want to present your latest research at the conference? We invite submissions across all aspects of nonimaging optics, from theoretical foundations to practical applications. We welcome presenters from both academia and industry.

Submit your abstract by 11 February 2026

View call for papers
New Challenge

Design Competition 2026

Can you fit a square peg through a round hole?

Design a reflective optical system that guides all light from a cube-shaped source through a circular opening. The étendue matches, so it should be possible. The question is: how can it be done?

View Challenge Submit Design
Design Competition Challenge

Online Minisymposium

December 8, 2025 · Thank you to all who attended!

Julius Muschaweck Henning Rehn Martijn Anthonissen

Invited Talks

We featured high-quality invited talks from leading researchers in nonimaging optics.

Call for Papers Launched

The call for papers for the 2026 conference is now open! Submit your abstract by February 11, 2026.

Design Competition Launched

The 2026 optical design competition is now live! Check out the challenge and submit your design.

Recordings and slides are now available!

Watch Recordings & View Slides

2025 Conference Highlights

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 20th anniversary conference

5
Invited Speakers
2
Conference Days
21
Presentations
14
Countries

Optical Design Competition: 2025 Results

This year's competition winners were Ludo Haenen (Signify) for the overall best submission at 53.3% efficiency, and Alex Lehmann (UNSW) for the best submission among conference attendees at 31.4% efficiency.

Congratulations to both winners for their impressive designs!

Best Student & Postdoc Presentation: 2025

This year's award was a tie between Wai Qian Tham (Trinity College Dublin) and Zijun Zhang (Zhejiang University).

Congratulations to both winners for their outstanding presentations!

Browse 2025 program View 2025 proceedings Read 2025 wrap-up