ABSTRACT: Embark on a journey to uncover the art of identifying emerging technology trends in lasers and seamlessly integrating them into research and product development. Gain insights into how a visionary company like MKS thrives on innovation, and discover the specific skills and attributes sought after in employees with an entrepreneurial spirit. You will have a window into the dynamic world of innovation with examples drawn from the cutting-edge field of ultrafast lasers. 

Bio: Jim Kafka received the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester in 1977 and 1983, respectively. For 40 years, he has been developing new products and was the Chief Technology Officer for Spectra-Physics (where he was originally hired by Tom Baer!) Jim is currently the first Emeritus Fellow of our parent company MKS. In addition to authoring numerous journal articles, conference presentations and seminars, he co-authored a book chapter on Ultrafast Nonlinear Optics and holds 45 patents. Jim was the principal designer on three products, the Tsunami, the Opal, and the Millennia X, which have won technology achievement awards. Jim has served the optics community as the Ultrafast Phenomena topical editor for JOSA B and the co-chair for the CLEO and Advanced Solid-State Photonics conferences. He is a Fellow of Optica and has served as a Distinguished Traveling Lecturer for the Division of Laser Science of the APS. Jim has lectured at the Siegman School on Lasers on three occasions and is currently serving as President of Optica for 2025. 

This seminar is sponsored by the Department of Applied Physics and the Ginzton Laboratory