Photonics School 2024 “Waveguides” in Kharkiv
The first Photonics School in Ukraine organized by the Ukrainian Optical and Photonic Society and the student chapters of Optica and SPIE of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University was held in Kharkiv on 4-7 April, 2024.
The special topic of this School was “Waveguides”. During the four days, the participants attended a series of lectures and practical classes on the theory, practice and topical issues concerning the development of waveguides of various types, both from invited Ukrainian and foreign speakers. As part of the School, the participants were divided into several groups to work on the special scientific projects.
Unfortunately, the energy infrastructure of Kharkiv was severely damaged by the Russian attacks, resulting in constant power outages in Kharkiv. The electricity, Internet and mobile phone connections were provided only for a few hours per day in a random format, including the work of generators. Perhaps, it was the first School on optical technologies without light. Not everything was good, but it was a lively and unforgettable experience with successful overcoming of challenges by participants, lecturers and organizers.
