Illumination Problem 2027
Étendue's Final Battle
After wrestling Étendue for longer than you can remember, you meet him for one final battle. Can you use your optical design skills and a magical mirror-forming spell to win it once and for all?
A joint challenge with the International Optical Design Conference (IODC). Submissions are due by April 1, 2027.
Annual conference at SPIE Optics + Photonics
Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Concentration
The Nonimaging Optics conference at SPIE Optics + Photonics is the main annual meeting for researchers in nonimaging optics, illumination design, and solar concentration optics. The program spans foundational theory, design methods, and applications in energy and illumination.
The 21st edition took place in San Diego, 23–27 August 2026.
2026 Conference Highlights
Two days of talks in San Diego. Thank you to everyone who took part!
Optical Design Competition: 2026 Results
Ludo Haenen (Signify) won with 40.6% efficiency, followed by Jean-Pierre Lauret (Gaggione SAS) at 36.4% and John Hygelund (Arthrex) at 36.3%.
That makes it two in a row for Ludo, who also won in 2025. Congratulations to all three for their impressive designs!
Best Student & Postdoc Presentation: 2026
This year's award went to Harithra Navaratnam from the Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Congratulations to Harithra, and thank you to Keysight for sponsoring the prize!