Topics of interest include (and are not limited to):

- fundamental photoluminescence properties & spectroscopic measurements

- modeling, first-principles calculations, etc.

- rare-earth doped amorphous materials

- rare-earth doped glass-ceramic materials

- rare-earth-doped crystalline materials

- rare-earth optical amplifiers and lasers

- application-oriented materials investigations

- photonic devices exploiting rare-earths’ characteristics

- photovoltaic applications.

Four Focus Sessions have been specifically devoted to the following hot topics:

FS1 - White light generation
FS2 - Wavelength conversion  for efficient photovoltaic systems
FS3 - Rare earth-doped photonic crystals and microstructured
          fibers
FS4 - Synthesis and application of rare earth doped nanoparticles