The Topical Meeting Series of the Photonics Society is the premier conference for emerging fields in photonic science, device technologies, and applications. The conferences are held in summer and winter to create the opportunity to learn about exciting new topics and to interact with the research and technology leaders in an intimate environment. A unique aspect of this conference series is that the Photonic Society membership suggest and organize these meetings.

The annual 2010 Summer Topical Meetings are focussed on “Optical Networks and Technology.” There will be four meetings that will cover a broad area of technology and diverse applications. Over the 3 days of the conference, the following Meetings will be held:

• Novel Waveguiding, Structures and Phenomena
• Polarization Division Multiplexed Optical Transmission Systems
• Optical Networks and Devices for Data Centers
• Nonlinear Fiber Optics

I would like to personally thank each of the Topical Chairs and the Program Committee Members who have volunteered and invested their time putting together these conferences. I also want to thank the tutorial and invited speakers for giving us their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for new and emerging photonic devices and applications. The combined efforts of the organizers and speakers is why this conference series has achieved its esteemed reputation. Finally I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Photonic Society staff for their professional organization and arrangements for the conference.

“The IEEE/Photonics Society Topicals Series serves as a breeding ground, where experts launch the conferences of tomorrow!”

Have a great time!