This fall's platform for the latest trends in optics is the Frontiers in Optics 2008 and Laser Science (FiO/LS) XXIV conference in Rochester, N.Y. From October 19-23, optics and photonics industry enthusiasts will once again come together for five days of presentations, technical talks and plenary sessions offered by top industry leaders. The FiO 2008, the 92nd (OSA) Optical Society of America meeting, will host two key plenary sessions that will be held on Monday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. John C. Mather, senior astrophysicist for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, will present his theory on the history of the universe and prove the Big Bang theory using spectral heat measurement as evidence to not only prove his point, but to point out Einstein’s biggest mistake. Anton Zeilinger, professor of physics at the University of Vienna, will share his research on entangled photons, long-distance quantum communication, quantum cryptography and all-optical quantum computation. At his plenary session, Zeilinger will also touch on future trends in integrated micro-optics chips and satellite-based systems.More than 70 leading optics companies will exhibit at this year’s meeting. Highlights will include, FiO invited speakers who will touch on optics and instrumentation for next-generation x-ray synchrotron radiation, optics for energy, and wavefront sensing and control.Special symposia at this year’s meeting will include:• Laser Science Symposium on Undergraduate Research• Schawlow-Townes Symposium on 50 Years of the Laser• NASA at 50• Polarized Light: 200 Years since Malus’ Discovery• A tribute to Howard Schlossberg• Best of Topicals• Quantum Optics and Quantum Engineering for Undergraduates Symposium• The Stiles-Crawford Effects of the First and Second Kinds, 75 Years of Scientific AchievementsFor technical education, FiO Short Courses will be offered. They are designed to advance research and career goals by increasing knowledge of a specific subject. This year’s instructors will showcase what’s new in optics, such as: • Light Emitting Diodes and Solid-State Lighting• Principles of Far-Field Fluorescence Nanoscopy• Silicon Nanophotonics• Lastest Trends in Optical Manufacturing• Nanophotonics: Materials, Fabrication and Characterization• Exploring Optical Aberrations• Polarization Engineering of Optical Fields• PlasmonicsImmediately following the Frontiers in Optics 2008 and Laser Science XXIV (FiO/LS) conference, the 8th Annual Optical Society of America (OSA) Vision Meeting will be held at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The OSA Vision Meeting is designed to focus discussions on key issues in vision science. This year, the OSA Vision Meeting runs from October 24–26, is sponsored by the Center for Visual Science at the University of Rochester, and will feature the presentation of the Tillyer Award Winner, Professor Brian A. Wandell of Stanford University.For more information, visit: www.frontiersinoptics.org