CLEO/QELS and PhAST Host Press-Only Luncheon to Showcase Latest Optics and Photonics Research and Applications.

Leading Industry Experts Discuss Breakthroughs in Medical Imaging, Homeland Security Technology, Space Exploration Tools and Telecommunications Technology

WHAT: CLEO/QELS and PhAST Press Only Luncheon

WHERE: 2004 CLEO/QELS and PhAST
       Baltimore Convention Center
       Room #333 (a)

WHEN: Tuesday, May 24 at noon

WHO: Confirmed speakers and topics include:

     --  Laura Marcu, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of
         Southern California - Using a practical laser-based
         fiber-optics system, a team of engineers and surgeons has
         developed a minimally invasive technique that can tell the
         difference between dangerous and less harmful forms of
         atherosclerotic plaque. This new technique can help
         physicians learn more about brain tumors and clogged
         arteries. Applications of Time-Resolved Fluorescence
         Spectroscopy to Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease and
         Brain Tumors Diagnosis.

     --  Dwayne Miller, University of Toronto - In what may provide
         deep insights into what occurs inside planets and stars,
         scientists have captured the first atomic-level view of the
         melting process, one of the simplest transformations of
         matter, on the timescale of femtoseconds, or quadrillionths
         of a second. The experiments are revising scientists' basic
         knowledge of what happens during rapid melting. Femtosecond
         Electron Diffraction: An Atomic-Level View of Condensed Phase
         Dynamics.

     --  Stefan Linden, Universitat Karlsruhe - In new research that
         may one day lead to better cell-phone antennas, reception and
         coverage, a collaboration between a team of researchers is
         reporting a metamaterial designed for electromagnetic
         radiation at a record high frequency of around 100 terahertz
         (equivalently, a 3-micron wavelength), in the infrared
         portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Towards Left-Handed
         Metamaterials at Optical Frequencies.

     --  Michael Duncan, Naval Research Labs - Detection,
         identification and location of targets from airborne
         platforms at ever-increasing target distances is a continuing
         challenge, but with readily apparent advantages. Researchers
         will present the results of real-time sensor fusion of
         visible imagery, hyperspectral imagery and data from
         electronic-signals collections systems. Sensor Fusion for
         Long-Range Airborne Reconnaissance.

     --  Richard Linke, Optical Society of America science policy
         director and the 2005 CLEO conference general chair, will
         serve as the luncheon moderator.



(a) Reporters are invited to call in for this press-only luncheon if
    attending in person is not possible. The call in number is
    877.241.3594 and the pass code is 84051.