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Panoramic space planets background. Panorama of distant solar system in cosmos with exoplanets 3D rendering elements of this image furnished by NASA.
Credit: ©Shutterstock/Sdecoret and Crissy Robinson/NIST

NIST will be hosting the annual Synergy IRASTRO meeting in 2026 - a collaboration between the Faint Photonics Group at NIST, the Max Planck Institute in Goettingen, Germany, and the University of Aarhus in Denmark. The purpose of the meeting is to give updates on the progress from our respective research groups, have informal discussions, lab tours, and plan for the future of the project. The subject of the IRASTRO meeting is mid-infrared spectroscopy at the single photon level for the study of single molecules relevant to astrochemistry and astrobiology.

NIST Synergy Conference Agenda

9/1- NIST overview and lab tours

09:00 – 09:45 Arrival at visitor center

09:45 – 10:00 Welcome

10:00 – 10:30 Talk 1 – Krister Shalm (distributed quantum entanglement)

10:30 – 10:45 Coffee Break

10:45 – 11:15 Talk 2 – Adriana Lita (transition edge sensors)

11:15 – 11:45 Talk 3 – Adam McCaughan (megapixel SNSPD arrays)

11:45 – 12:00 Break

12:00 – 12:30 Talk 4 – Daniel Schlichter (single ions for quantum computing)

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 14:30 Talk 5 – Varun Verma IRASTRO updates from NIST

14:30 - 15:00 Coffee Break, split into groups for lab tours

15:00 – 17:00 Lab Tours

17:00 – Adjourn

18:30 – Dinner downtown Boulder

9/2 – Aarhus team updates and group hike

08:30 – 09:00 Arrival at visitor center

09:00 – 12:30 Updates from Aarhus team

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 14:00 Transportation to Chautauqua Park

14:00 – 16:00 Hike at Chautauqua Park

16:00 – Adjourn/Free Time to explore Boulder

18:30 – Dinner downtown Boulder

9/3 – MPI and Saalfrank team updates

08:30 – 09:00 Arrival at visitor center

09:00 – 12:30 Updates from MPI team

12:30-13:30 Lunch

13:30-15:30 Updates from Saalfrank team

15:30 – 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 – 17:00 Continuation of Saalfrank team updates

17:00 – 18:00 Summary/Informal Discussion/Planning

18:30 - Dinner

Lodging Information

NIST Synergy Conference

Start Date: Monday, August 31, 2026 - End Date: Friday, September 04, 2026

Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:

  • Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Boulder for 129.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book : Monday, August 03, 2026

Book your group rate for NIST Synergy Conference

Security Instructions

Visitor Access Requirement:

  • For Non-US Citizens:  Please have your valid/non-expired passport for photo identification.*
  • For US Permanent Residents: Please have your valid/non-expired green card for photo identification.*
  • For US Citizens:  Please have your valid/non-expired state-issued driver's license. NIST will only accept a REAL ID-compliant form of identification. Visitors with state-issued identification must now present a REAL ID or a different form of government-issued photo identification, such as: a valid/non-expired passport, passport card, DOD's Common Access Card (CAC), Veterans ID, Federal Agency HSPD-12 IDs, and Military Dependents ID.*

*Use of apps, physical photocopies, and/or digital screenshots of your ID, Passport or Green card will not be accepted. 

Failure to show proper valid and compliant/non-expired photo identification upon check-in will result in denied entry into the facility.

For more information please visit our Campus Access and Security page.

Created January 13, 2026, Updated June 25, 2026
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