Postponed last year due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, the event’s trade fair component returns this year to spotlight the latest innovations in photonics systems, components, and applications, with exhibition sectors dedicated to Illumination and Energy, Biophotonics and Medical Engineering, Manufacturing Optics, Quality Control, Laser Manufacturing, and Optoelectronics. The international trade fair will run April 26-29 in Munich. It will feature a new component called the World of QUANTUM, which will debut in its own exhibition hall. Courtesy of Messe München GmbH. The technical scope of this year’s show will be matched by its international reach. As of press time, more than 1300 companies from 40 countries plan to exhibit, and nearly 35,000 visitors will travel from over 80 countries to attend. Market leaders from the photonics industry and key industry-related research institutes have also confirmed their participation, including TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik, Coherent Shared Services, IPG Laser, LASER COMPONENTS Germany, the Fraunhofer Society, Laser 2000, Newport Spectra-Physics, Berlin Partner for Business and Technology, and JENOPTIK Optical Systems. The 15th International Laser Marketplace, taking place on April 28, will resume one of the most popular components of LASER World of PHOTONICS. The symposium will focus on the latest trends for laser-based materials processing, including the technology’s prospects in important international markets such as China, Japan, and India. Other highlights will include an interview with Vincent Mattera, chairman and CEO of II-VI, as well as presentations from TOPTICA Photonics, Penta Laser Group, Paradigm Laser Research, and others. An overview of Hall A2. Courtesy of Messe München GmbH. In addition, the World of QUANTUM makes its debut at this year’s event. Coordinated by Messe München, this latest component will be assigned to its own exhibition hall to establish a venue for visitors to explore the latest advancements that quantum technology has made in computing and cryptography, sensors and imaging, communications, and medicine. “Just like studying the properties of the photon played a central role in our understanding of the quantum properties of nature, the photon will play a central role when it comes to implementing quantum technologies in the future,” said Wilhelm Kaenders, TOPTICA Photonics’ president. “In the next few years, Munich will become a central marketplace for this key technology in this young century.” In 2019, more than 32,700 trade show visitors from 73 countries visited LASER World of PHOTONICS (top). Products and services (bottom) were presented in a total area of 55,000 sq m. Courtesy of Messe München GmbH. The World of QUANTUM exhibit will disseminate valuable intelligence in a range of formats, tailored to the needs of research associations, quantum clusters, global players, medium-size solutions providers, and startups. Exhibitors include IBM, AQT, the Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology, Fraunhofer Institutes, and several quantum-focused clusters and associations. Industry exhibitors include solutions providers such as Thorlabs, PicoQuant, Q.ANT, KETS Quantum Security, KEEQuant, RedWave Labs, and Optica. According to Immanuel Bloch, spokesman at the Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology, scientists and business people are often active in different networks. “The trade fair offers a platform for networking and ideal starting points for companies looking to get involved in this growing, highly technological field,” he said. “The basic research has already led to significant progress in the field of quantum technologies. What we need now is for industry to get involved in order to push back the boundaries of what is possible.” The next World of Photonics Congress following the event in April will be held in June 2023 with the next trade fair.