The community of ellipsometry enthusiasts in North America is set to meet at the 1st American Workshop on Ellipsometry (AWE-1), scheduled for February 28 – March 3, 2027, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
AWE-1 aims to bring together experienced leaders, early-career professionals, and students from various academic, public, and industrial sectors. The main purpose is to provide a forum for beginners and experts alike to learn, exchange, and share scientific and technological knowledge, as well as recent advancements. This meeting is especially dedicated to the participation of undergraduate and graduate students to help them become the next generation of talented ellipsometry users and innovators.
The Technical Program will include a broad range of topics in ellipsometry, polarimetry, and related techniques that utilize polarized light to characterize bulk materials, thin films, surfaces, interfaces, and nanostructures under both static and dynamic conditions.
Topics will cover theory, instrumentation & data analysis, and applications across physics, chemistry, materials science, and life sciences, as well as engineering and metrology.
On Sunday, February 28, 2027, a half-day of complimentary Tutorials & 101 Lectures will kick off AWE-1. 101 Lectures are intended to introduce first-time users to basic ellipsometry concepts. Tutorials are intended for distinguished lecturers to teach a variety of ellipsometry fundamentals, more advanced concepts in instrumentation and data analysis, as well as more specialized applications.
On Sunday, February 28, 2027, after a half-day of Tutorials & 101 Lectures, a Welcome Reception will be held in the hospitable atmosphere of Morrill Hall (Nebraska State Museum) to welcome our community of new and experienced ellipsometry learners.
The Welcome Reception is generously sponsored by our Silver Sponsor: _TBD_.
From Monday through Wednesday, March 1–3, 2027, Oral and Poster Sessions will take place in the Conference Center on the Nebraska Innovation Campus, including an outstanding Keynote and a lineup of excellent Invited Speakers. The Keynote is intended to provide a high-level overview, summarizing developments in ellipsometry and related techniques over the past ~5 years, and looking ahead at a broad range of applications that will drive future advances. Invited Talks are intended to introduce advanced concepts in instrumentation and data analysis, as well as specialized applications, that are highly topical or emerging.
Please find the up-to-date Schedule of Events in the Abstract Book.
Coffee & Snacks will be served during Oral Session breaks Sunday through Wednesday, sponsored by _TBD_.
Lunches will be served on Monday and Tuesday, sponsored by _TBD_.
Refreshments will be served during the Poster Session on Monday evening, sponsored by _TBD_.
On Tuesday, March 2, 2027, the Workshop Dinner will bring all attendees to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska, to foster personal networking between attendees, from first-time users to experts, including researchers, engineers, and developers.
The Workshop Dinner is generously sponsored by our signature Gold Sponsor: _TBD_.
On Wednesday, March 3, 2027, an Awards Ceremony will recognize excellent achievements at different levels by honoring
- one NAEA Fellow for outstanding contributions in research, engineering, technical or managerial leadership, and/or education for a period of 10 years or more.
- an individual or group of individuals with the Rasheed M. A. Azzam Medal for recent, groundbreaking contributions to the field of ellipsometry and related techniques.
- multiple undergraduate and graduate students with Student Awards for best oral presentations and for best posters.
On Monday and Tuesday, March 1–2, 2027, AWE-1 will feature a simultaneous Industry Exhibition showcasing the latest equipment developments in ellipsometry, polarimetry, and related techniques that utilize polarized light to characterize bulk materials, thin films, surfaces, interfaces, and nanostructures under both static and dynamic conditions. Novelties may cover instrumentation and data analysis concepts, as well as applications across physics, chemistry, materials science, life sciences, engineering, and metrology.
