In the period of February 27 - March 3, 2023, another Integrated Optics - Sensors, Sensing Structures and Methods IOS '2023 Conference was held at the META Hotel in Szczyrk (Poland).

The Conference takes place in a form with the direct participation of the Participants.

The Conference aroused great interest in the Polish and international photonic community.

About 130 participants took part in the conference. Above 100 scientific work were presented.

In the common opinion of the Participants, the scientific level of the Conference was high.

Selected works have been recommended by the Scientific Committee of IOS'2023 for publication in the Photonics Letters of Poland journal.

The Organizers of IOS'2023 would like to thank all Conference Participants for their activity.

The Scientific Committee of IOS'2023 congratulates the Authors of the presented at the Conference works their high scientific levels.

Yours faithfully

On behalf of the Scientific and Organizational Committees

Tadeusz Pustelny

The National Laboratory for Photonics and Quantum Technologies - NLPQT - is a nationwide investment project carried out by a consortium of 7 scientific units led by the University of Warsaw. The main purpose of the project is to create new research infrastructure in three areas:

• Generation and Distribution of Reference Optical Carrier

The main goal of the National System for Generation and Distribution of the Reference Optical Carrier is to construct an ultra-stable laser system that can be linked to an optical atomic clock, along with a distribution network using optical fibers. The optical reference signal with low phase noise will be distributed from Toruń to all of the participants of the NLPQT consortium where it will be available to both interested researchers and industry partners.

• Photonic Technologies

Another aim of the NLPQT project is to build a network of research stations which will either extend the existing or provide completely new research opportunities. The new equipment will be used in a wide variety of applications such as spectroscopic studies of materials (e.g. the analysis of trace air pollutants or characterization of new materials for photovoltaics and medicine), fabrication of specialized optical fibers, development of nano- and microstructures for optoelectronic and medical applications, design, production and characterization of lighting systems, two- and three-dimensional imaging of biological objects and many others.

• Quantum Technologies

In the area of quantum technologies, the NLPQT project is focused on the development of a country-wide infrastructure enabling practical utilization of properties of individual quantum objects. A particular emphasis is put on the possibility of using single photons in quantum communication, which will enable both research and development work on quantum key distribution (QKD) as well as integration of such solutions with other mechanisms used to secure data transmitted over existing IT and telecommunication systems. Furthermore, test workstations utilizing real-life applications of such quantum objects as single electrons, quantum dots, or atoms will also be established.

The infrastructure built within the framework of the NLPQT project will not only serve the scientists directly involved in the project, but will also be available to other researchers and industry partners. For more information visit the website of the Project at http://nlpqt.fuw.edu.pl.

The project QUNNA „ QUantum-effect-based Nanosensing and imaging: Novel glass-diamond photonic approach for the next generation biodiagnostic Applications” has been awarded 4.3 mln EUR funding in the prestigious TEAM-NET call organized by the Foundation for Polish Science (2^nd rank on the list). The project is carried out by the consortium of University of Warsaw, Jagiellonian University of Cracow, Gdańsk University of Technology and Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine (IBMM).

The aim of the project is to apply phenomena of quantum physics for deployment of  nanodiamond based technologies into innovative sensors that could be utilized in optical and magnetic research, electronics and medical diagnostics.

Within the 4 year-long project, scientists will explore new materials, components and photonic systems displaying specific magnetic and optical properties. The resulting optoelectronic solutions will be introduced to the market in order to advance diagnostics of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, among others.

The aim of the first edition of the TEAM-NET program organized by the Foundation for Polish Science is to enable far-reaching projects carried out by a network of cooperating research teams managed by outstanding scientists.

The Project website: www.qunna.pl

Altra Volta is one of the most versatile string quartet bands playing a wide spectrum of music from classical, contemporary and film music through folk and pop to improvised music. It was founded in 1998 in Katowice. The band comprises violinists: Jacek Dzwonowski and Leszek Sojka, violist Aleksandra Marko-Lech, cellist Michał Lech – all of whom are alumni of the Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice.

Atra Volta’s performances were appreciated on many concert and festival stages in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, Slovakia, Turkey, Lithuania , Belarus, the Netherlands, Egypt, India, Sri Lanka and China. Altra Volta performed at the International Festival La Nuit de la Voix - Opera Comique in Paris, during the76th International Film Festival in Venice, the Chopin’s Music Gardens Festival held in the Royal Castle in Warsaw, the International Festival La Folle Journée - Teatr Wielki Polish National Opera in Warsaw, where during the celebrations of the Chopin Anniversary Year together with the Camerata Silesia Ensemble of Singers of the Katowice City they gave a world premiere of a masterpiece of the French composer Régis Campo. The quartet performed at the 49th National Festival of Polish Song in Opole with Joanna Kondrat – the winner of Opole Debuts. In 2017, invited by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chengdu, participated in Polish Autumn Days in Chengdu 2017 giving concerts and lectures in Tianfu Concert Hall, Sichuan Conservatory of Music and Chengdu Library.

Furthermore, having been invited to The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in New Delhi, the qurtet, with a gala concert in Colombo, inaugurated celebrations of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and Sri Lanka. Altra Volta emsemble performed also in Shri Ram Center in New Delhi in India. The Altra Volta string quartet gave a series of concerts invited by Polish Institutes: in Vilnius – during the 8th and 12th Summer Concerts and in Minsk in Belarus at the Classical Music Festival at the Town Hall. The quartet performed on the stage of Teatro Bellas Artes in Madrid during World Youth Days in 2011, in the Column Hall in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland during the IFLAPARL world conference organized by the Chancellery of the Polish Senate and together with Stanisław Soyka during the opening ceremony of the Ulma Family Museum of Poles Saving Jews in World War II in Markowa conducted by the President of Poland Andrzej Duda. In 2018 the quartet received Award of the Mayor of Chorzów in the field of culture in the category of creative achievements. Altra Volta string quartet is the only Polish ensemble that entertained the Italian audience at Biennale Cinema 2019 76. Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica (76th Venice Film Festival in 2019), and in cooperation with the vocal ensemble Aria Trio gave a series of concerts for the main sponsor of the festival - companies Mastercard and Bulgari.

Altra Volta quartet performed in the Chamber Music Hall of Warsaw Philharmonic, the Concert Studio of Polish Radio S1 in Warsaw, Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland – Belweder, Palazzo Pisani Moretta in Venice, Spodek in Katowice, Polish Radio Katowice, the Ministry of Transport in Warsaw, the Opole Amphiteater, Opole Philharmonic, frequently at the Royal Castle in Warsaw. The recordings of Altra Volta string quartet were broadcast by French Radio Classique, Vatican Radio, Polish Radio Opole, RMF Classic, Polish Radio Katowice and television channels Mezzo, TVP 2, TV Polonia, Television Katowice. Altra Volta cooperates with Stanisław Soyka, the Camerata Silesia Ensemble of Singers of the Katowice City, Daddy's Cash band. The quartet performed also with Krzysztof Cugowski, Natalia Niemen, Krzysztof Antkowiak, Ewa Uryga, Ewa Błachnio, Chłopcy z Placu Broni band.

In 2013 the quartet started cooperating with Piotr Kler Foundation and recorded albums of piano concertos in chamber version with the following pianists: Łukasz Mikołajczyk, Łukasz Byrdy, Gracjan Szymczak, Mateusz Rożek, Cyprian Sekrecki, Przemysław Winnicki, Karolina Kłosowska, Tymoteusz Bies, Filip Pinczewski (Piotr Kler Foundation scholarship recipients). The albums comprise: Piano Concerto e-minor op. 11 and Piano Concerto f-minor op. 21 by Fryderyk Chopin, Piano Concerto a-minor op. 16 by E. Grieg, Piano Concerto No.1 C-major op. 15 by L. Van Beethoven, Piano Concertos No. 20., 21., 23. and 24 by W. A. Mozart and Harpsichord Concerto by J. S. Bach in d-minor BWV 1052. The recordings were made in Opole Philharmonic, Polish Radio Katowice as well as during concerts in the Witold Lutosławski Concert Studio of Polish Radio in Warsaw.