UNM to host Thorlabs Mobile Photonics Laboratory experience Feb. 24–26

The University of New Mexico Department of Physics and Astronomy hosts the Thorlabs Mobile Photonics Laboratory Experience Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 24–26, bringing hands-on photonics education and industry engagement directly to campus.

The mobile laboratory will be parked west of the Physics & Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science (PAIS) building and will offer students the opportunity to participate in interactive photonics experiments ranging from introductory demonstrations to advanced laboratory activities.

Thorlabs, a leading global supplier of photonics equipment and optical components, created the Mobile Photonics Laboratory Experience as an outreach initiative designed to connect students with real-world applications of optics, quantum science, and photonics technologies.

The three-day event will also feature outdoor tents hosted by academic, national laboratory, and industry partners working in photonics and quantum science. Participating organizations include UNM Physics and Astronomy, the Optical Science and Engineering (OSE) program, and the Quantum New Mexico Institute (QNM-I). Additional industry and research partners are expected to participate.

The event aims to expose students to emerging technologies in photonics and quantum science while providing opportunities to engage directly with researchers, engineers, and industry professionals.

The Mobile Photonics Laboratory Experience is open to UNM students and members of the campus community interested in optics, photonics, and quantum technologies.

More information about the event schedule and activities is available at: https://sites.google.com/view/thorlabs-unm2026/home

Media inquiries and event promotion coordination can be directed to the UNM Department of Physics and Astronomy.

About QNM-I
The Quantum New Mexico Institute is a joint research entity that seeks to accomplish transformative, long-lasting breakthroughs in Quantum Information Science through the efforts of researchers from the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Engineering, at the University of New Mexico as well as Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratories. The mission of QNM-I is to expand research & development and education as well as promote efforts to advance the local and regional quantum ecosystem to meet the nation’s economic and national security goals.

About OSE
The OSE Program is jointly administered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Physics and Astronomy. It offers master’s and doctoral degrees in optical science, with concentrations in optical science, photonics, quantum optics, and imaging. Since its inception in 1983, the program has graduated more than 350 Ph.D. and M.S. students while developing close working relationships with Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Air Force Research Laboratory. As a research-intensive program, UNM Optical Science and Engineering maintains an extensive history of scholarly activity. This productivity is reflected in key metrics such as publication volume and the faculty's robust H-index. The program's leadership includes General Chair Jean-Claude Diels, Co-Chair Distinguished Professor Marek Osinski, and Senior Academic Advisor Doris Williams, who support over 35 affiliated faculty members and more than 50 Ph.D. and M.S. students.