Photonics: major opportunities for Latvia and Baltics

This is the 2nd Day of Photonics event in Latvia.  We covered a rich agenda spanning innovation covering joint R&D initiatives underway between industry and photonics related research institutes, institute specific research as well as innovation policy.  The output of the Day of Photonics was the Declaration signed by the participants at the conclusion of the event.   The member organizations in the Latvia Photonics Cluster can be found in the Baltic Photonics Cluster catalog.  Initiatives are planned in the coming months to advance the interests of the cluster members through dialogue with the Latvian government and ongoing discussions between R&D organizations in the cluster, SMEs and larger industry.

Vidvuds Beldavs, Chairman, Riga Photonics Centre

Time and Venue:  21 October 2016 from 9:00-14:00, Riga Photonics Centre, Šķūņu iela 4, Riga (Old Town)

 Agenda

9:-00 Opening remarks: FOTONIKA-LV National Science Centre Scientific Secretary –  Dr. Arnolds Ubelis

9:15 Overview of the photonics and space technology cluster in Latvia Vidvuds Beldavs, Chairman – Riga Photonics Centre

9:30 –12:00 Innovation: Photonics to solve industrial problems and create new opportunities for SMEs in Latvia.            Presentations by SMEs and researchers

–      KEPP-EU & LU – Anatolijs Kravcovs, Janis Blahins

–      HEE-PHOTONICS LABS & LU – Andris Treijs, Janis Vjaters

–      RD-ALPHA & LU – Aigars Atvars

–      BSI & LU – 2 projects- Vladimirs Gostilo, Janis Blahins, Viesturs Silamikelis

–      Z-LIGHT & LU – Daumants Pfafrods, Romans Viters

12:00 – 12:30 Pizza, coffee & snacks

12:30 –  14:00  Research:

Dr. Jānis Alnis: quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies highlights

Dr. Mārtiņš Rutkis: Photonics research at the Institute of Solid State Physics

Dr. Jānis Balodis: Past and present research at the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics.

Prof. Ilgmārs Eglītis, Research achievements of the Institute of Astronomy and future outlook.

14.00– 14:30 Innovation policy:

Future of the photonics cluster in Latvia, photonics as a smart specialization for Latvia and the Baltic States. Summary, discussion, action items