Light Night 2022 with Prof. Sir Michael V Berry and Prof. Dr. Ir. Heidi Ottevaere.

We are pleased to invite you to our Light Night 2022 dedicated to the International Day of Light. Light Night is a yearly event of the B-PHOT Student Chapter in which we host well-known Photonics scientists. This year, we have two speakers, namely Prof. Sir Michael V Berry (University of Bristol) and Prof. Dr. Ir. Heidi Ottevaere.

Firstly, Prof. Ottevaere, the chairwoman of the Applied Physics and Photonics department and the advisor of our chapter, will introduce B-PHOT and its activities. Then, Prof. Berry will give a talk titled "Making light of mathematics" with the following description: Many mathematical phenomena have spectacular counterparts in the physics of light. Concepts such as fractals, catastrophe theory, knots, infinity, zero, and even when 1+1 fails to equal 2, are needed to understand rainbows, twinkling starlight, sparkling seas, oriental magic mirrors, and simple observations on interference, polarisation and focusing. This strongly visual talk echoes Wigner’s ‘unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics’ but presents a different point of view. These talks will be complemented by two networking sessions at the beginning and at the end. Also, the president of the chapter will give a presentation during which the winners of the Photo Contest 2022 will be announced.

18:00-18:30 Refreshments and Snacks

18:30-19:00 Opening and B-PHOT Introduction by Prof. Dr. Ir. Heidi Ottevaere

19:00-20:00 "Making light of mathematics" by Prof. Sir Michael V Berry

20:00-20:30 Q&A Session

20:30-20:50 B-PHOT Chapter's Presentation

20:50-21:00 Photo Contest Winners Announcement

21:00-21:30 Networking and Sandwiches