Call for Papers

Please contact the symposium organizers with questions.

Breakthroughs in materials research are needed to address the ever-growing market for higher-density data storage within faster and more efficient photonic devices. This includes new ways to create and implement innovative energy-efficient multifunctional materials for different sectors, such as Information & Communication Technology by leveraging the convergence of several complementary and synergetic corner-stones: magnetism and optics/photonics as well as electronics. For instance, single molecule magnets (SMMs) are anticipated to revolutionize spintronic applications as their magnetic properties are intrinsic to the molecule, allowing hundreds of times more storage than the best existing hard drives, while using significantly less energy. Discovery and application of optical materials that use light to trigger, harness and enhance physical properties led to the development of the optoelectronic devices that our modern and technology-driven society heavily relies on. Yet, the need for more efficient, energy-saving approaches remains a challenge. Consequently, cutting-edge research is conducted around the world focussing on novel magnetic and optical probes, including (but not limited to) lanthanide-based SMMs, lanthanide-doped inorganic nanostructures, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and their hybrids. Particularly the concept of multimodality is receiving growing attention given that the interplay of multiple functionalities – e.g., magnetism and optics – is the way to produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual entities. An emerging example in that regard is the combination of SMMs with optical temperature sensing capabilities.

The goal of this symposium is to present and discuss the most recent advancement, trends, and challenges regarding modern optics and magnetism. It is the particular aim to bring together experts from the various communities (optics, magnetism, nano, molecular) to learn from each other, exchange ideas, and jointly contribute to this emerging field. This symposium will not only offer a common ground for established experts in the fields, but also be an accommodating and inclusive platform for young and upcoming researchers: we strive to bring together an inclusive mix of established and young researchers, women and underrepresented minorities to showcase their work in a unique and inspiring environment to jointly create tomorrow’s opto-magnetic probes and devices.

Topics will include:

• Materials at the interface between magnetism and optics – lanthanides and beyond
• Materials discoveries with potential for opto-magnetic junctions, high-density magnetic storage, quantum and related applications
• Photoluminescence in molecular materials, metal-organic-frameworks, and nanostructures
• Novel synthesis and characterization methods for magnetic, optical, and opto-magnetic nanomaterials and molecules
• Molecular magnetism and nano-magnets: towards next-generation magnetic devices
• Recent advances in dual functional probes: emerging luminescent single-molecule magnets and opto-magnetic nanostructures
• Enhanced probe properties through multifunctionality (e.g., optical thermal sensing with molecular magnets)
• Self-assembly and emergence of complexity in organic/inorganic hybrids
• In-silico and ab-initio methods for next-generation opto-magnetic molecules and materials

Invited Speakers:

• Riccardo Bertacco (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)
• Hélène Brault (Université de Nantes, Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel, France)
• Loic Charbonniere (Université de Strasbourg, France)
• Maria Rute de Amorim e Sá Ferreira André (Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal)
• Andrea de Camargo Stucchi (São Carlos Institute of Physics, Brazil)
• Selvan Demir (Michigan State University, USA)
• Jérôme Long (Université de Montpellier, France)
• Venkataramanan Mahalingam (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, India)
• Jani O. Moilanen (University of Jyväskylä, Finland)
• Muralee Murugesu (University of Ottawa, Canada)
• Miguel Alexandre Novak (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• Ute Resch-Genger (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, Germany)
• Sidney Ribeiro (São Paulo State University, Brazil)
• Wieslaw Strek (Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland)
• Markus Suta (Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany)
• Simon Trudel (University of Calgary, Canada)
• Sergey Varganov (University of Nevada, Reno, USA)

Symposium Organizers