19–22 January 2026 | Booth #252 | Moscone Center, San Francisco, California, USA
SPIE Photonics West has become the annual checkpoint for anyone working at the intersection of optics, photonics, sensing, and advanced imaging. It’s where new materials, new manufacturing methods, and new optical architectures collide—and where engineering teams tend to recalibrate their roadmaps for the year ahead.
For those exploring polymer optics, Photonics West offers a surprisingly clear view into where the industry is heading. Apollo Optical Systems will be returning in 2026 with a focus on helping teams understand how polymer optics fit into modern system design, manufacturing strategies, and long-term scalability.
The conversation around polymer optics has shifted dramatically in the past decade. Once viewed primarily as a low-cost alternative to glass, polymer optical components now sit at the center of many high-performance systems—particularly where size, alignment, and complex geometry matter.
Photonics West remains the best environment to see this shift up close. Medical device developers, autonomous sensing teams, AR/VR researchers, and aerospace engineers continue to push designs that demand:
Polymer optics meet these constraints more efficiently than many engineers expect. Injection molding offers the ability to replicate freeform surfaces, integrate mechanical features directly into the optic, and scale production without losing surface quality or dimensional control.
At the 2026 show, these themes are expected to dominate discussions—especially as more programs look to combine performance with manufacturability from the start.
Visitors who stop by Booth #252 will find engineers who can look at early designs, discuss practical manufacturing constraints, and map realistic development paths. Drawings, samples, and early concepts are always welcome.
For those who want a deeper discussion, meetings can be scheduled ahead of time.