Paper submission is open to join the next CLEO/Europe-EQEC conference at Munich in June 2015. The CLEO/Europe-EQEC conference series has a strong tradition as a comprehensive and prestigious gathering of optics and photonics researchers and engineers in Europe.

Plasmonics and metamaterials are specially highlighted by a dedicated topical meeting, see EQEC 2015 topic EH Plasmonics and Metamaterials. Metal nanophotonics from fundamentals towards applications and including all spectral regimes: plasmonic nanostructures, antennas, cavities and waveguides; metamaterials; hybrid materials; nonlinear structures and effects; active systems, systems with gain.

Here is a short selection of speakers:

Plenary:

Theodor W. Hänsch, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
Serge Haroche, Collège de France & Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
Federico Capasso, University of Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA

Keynote:

Aydogan Ozcan, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA
Niek van Hulst, ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain

Invited:

Thomas Ebbesen, Université de Strasbourg, France
Yuri S. Kivshar, Australian National University, Australia

The committee EH Plasmonics and Metamaterials is composed of:
Chair: Jérôme Wenger, Institut Fresnel, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
Javier Aizpurua, Center for Material Physics (CSIC - UPV/EHU and DIPC), Donostia - San Sebastian, Spain
Andrea Alù, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
Alexandre Bouhelier, CNRS, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne, Dijon, France  
Sol Carretero Palacios, Instituto de Cienca de Materiales de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
Luca Dal Negro, Boston University, Boston, USA
Vassili Fedotov, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
Femius Koenderink, FOM Institute AMOLF, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Kristjan Leosson, Innovation Center Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
Din Ping Tsai, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Ralf Vogelgesang, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany

Our article “Multi-focus parallel detection of fluorescent molecules at picomolar concentration with photonic nanojets arrays” has just been released in Applied Physics Letters. We replace the complex microscope objective commonly used in fluorescence sensing by an array of latex microspheres. This realizes a novel regime where several focal spots are illuminated to detect the possible presence of a fluorescent molecule in one of them. A detailed theoretical description of the phenomen is provided along with experimental demonstration.
This work describes an efficient disposable lens element that enables single molecule sensitivity at low picomolar concentration. The simplicity of the design makes it perfect for integration in portable microfluidic readers.

Jerome will give a talk at ENOVA Paris, the exhibition for technologies in electronic measurement, vision and optics. The schedule is Sept. 16 at 11:30 at the nanophotonics session.

Deep Punj is giving a talk at the 13th international conference of Near-field Optics and Nanophotonics NFO13 on nanoantennas for enhanced single molecule fluorescence detection at high concentrations. Our group will also have two posters:

- Plasmonic enhanced fluorescence energy transfer

- Enhanced fluorescence from resonant DNA assembled plasmonic nanoantennas loaded with single dye molecules

Energy transfer between molecules is promoted when they are set in an environment that confines light

The energy transfer between molecules is an essential phenomenon for photosynthesis, photovoltaics and biotechnology. Now, thanks to the work of the Institut Fresnel Institute, energy transfer between molecules can be controlled and enhanced with optical structures etched at the nanoscale.

Researchers prepared pairs of energy donor and acceptor molecules linked by rigid double stranded DNA. These pairs were then inserted into apertures milled in a gold film with nanoscale dimensions. By accurately measuring the radiation properties of pairs of molecules, the researchers were able to demonstrate that the rate of energy transfer between molecules is 6 times greater when placed in a nanoaperture.

These promising results are clearing a new path to improve the energy transfer process widely used in life sciences and biotechnology. Optical nanostructures open up many potential applications for biosensors, light sources or photovoltaics.
This work has been supported by the European Research Council under ERC Grant 278242.