SPIE Photonics Industry Summit emphasizes US technology leadership

On September 18, 2025, experts and leaders from the optics and photonics industry convened in Washington, DC, for the fourth annual SPIE Photonics Industry Summit. With over 100 participants, including key figures from government and industry, the summit highlighted the crucial intersection of science, technology, and public policy in maintaining the United States’ leadership in innovation, especially in the field of optics and photonics.

Key Takeaways and Industry Leadership

Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY), who co-chairs the Optics and Photonics Caucus, delivered the keynote address underscoring the necessity for increased federal investment in science and technology. Morelle characterized the global technological landscape as a competitive arena, particularly in relation to China, and stressed that sustaining US innovation requires robust federal support. “It’s easy to stop innovation. It’s much harder to restart it,” Morelle warned, pointing to the risk of losing critical infrastructure and expertise.

Emily R. Kinser, a program director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), reinforced this sentiment, affirming that decades of investment have fostered the US’s strong footing in photonics. Kinser elaborated on ARPA-E’s commitment to investing in disruptive technologies that would enhance America’s technological leadership in diverse sectors like energy, power electronics, and data infrastructure.

Challenges in Modern Defense Strategies

One of the prevalent themes of the summit was the transition from traditional defense mechanisms to innovative technologies. Keith Alan Krapels, director of the technical center at the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command, discussed the challenges facing missile defense strategies that rely on kinetic interceptors. Krapels advocated for the adoption of directed energy weapons (DEW) and stressed the importance of increasing photonics engineering expertise. He proposed that a comprehensive engineering handbook could bridge knowledge gaps, facilitating collaboration across industries to share best practices.

NASA’s Impact on Optics and Photonics

Mark Clampin, acting deputy associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, offered insights into how critical optics have been to NASA’s success in scientific endeavors. He highlighted accomplishments in Earth science, specifically tsunami detection through new systems like the GUARDIAN. This underscores the pivotal role that optics and photonics play not only in space exploration but also in enhancing national safety and welfare.

Healthcare Innovations Through Photonics

The healthcare sector has also greatly benefited from optics and photonics innovations. Bruce Tromberg, director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), noted that a staggering 67% of the agency’s $2 billion budget for 2024 is allocated to optics and photonics projects. These investments are directed toward advancing technologies like optical coherence tomography and focused ultrasound, which can revolutionize patient care and diagnostics.

Tromberg also discussed the convergence of artificial intelligence and photonics, underscoring how advanced computational techniques can enhance imaging and diagnostics. “You can’t make an image without computation,” he asserted, emphasizing the synergy between hardware capabilities and AI-driven optimizations.

Translating Research into Impact

Chaitan Baru, from the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP), shed light on efforts to convert research findings into societal impacts. The focus is on translational research that can drive innovations from the lab to market application. This mission is imperative if America is to sustain its leadership in technology sectors and foster entrepreneurial growth in the optics and photonics industry.

The Defense Innovation Unit’s Jeffrey Wright provided a framework for accelerating the adoption of innovative commercial technology within the Department of Defense. Wright outlined a streamlined engagement process that connects military needs with commercial capabilities, facilitating rapid procurement of groundbreaking technologies.

Navigating Export Control Regulations

A legal perspective was provided by Matthew Borman of the Akin law firm, who discussed the complex landscape of US export control laws and regulations concerning technology transfer, particularly regarding chips. He illustrated the divergence in policy thought where some advocate for maintaining technology sales to countries like China to sustain dependency, while others express concern over potential misuse of technology.

Borman’s discussion highlighted the historical complexities in international agreements, such as the Wassenaar Arrangement, emphasizing the need for companies to stay informed about export regulations using available resources.

Conclusion: A Unified Vision for the Future

The SPIE Photonics Industry Summit brought together diverse voices from government and industry, fostering a collaborative dialogue on the future of optics and photonics as a key driver of technological advancement. Though challenges such as budget constraints and geopolitical competition loom, the collective agreement on the importance of optics and photonics showcases a unified vision: investing in these technologies is not merely beneficial but essential for maintaining national leadership and societal progress.

In conclusion, as industries evolve and new technologies emerge, the insights gained from the summit lay a solid foundation for strategic decisions and collaborative actions necessary for fostering innovation and addressing the complex demands of the modern world. The commitment to optics and photonics will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of American technological leadership in the coming years.

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