After the success of the previous two symposiums respectively held in Poland (2005) and Japan (2006), the 3rd Laser Ceramics Symposium (LCS) was successfully concluded in France on October 8-11 this year. A total of 107 representatives from seventeen countries and regions attended it. Prof. Shi-Wei Wang, Dr. Jian Zhang of Shanghai Institute of Ceramics (SIC), Prof. Ying Shi of Shanghai University and Prof. Qi-Hong Lou of Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM) were also invited to attend this symposium. During the symposium, about 60 oral reports and posters which covered almost all topics of transparent ceramics for laser, such as powder preparation, forming, sintering, of laser ceramics, characterization of microstructure, spectra and design of ceramics laser, were presented. At the end of the symposium, the organizer, the centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) arranged representatives to visit “MegaJoule” laser apparatus in South France. The laser apparatus, one of the largest optical engineering which is mainly used for the research of Inertial Fused Energy (IFE), costs 5 billions Euro dollars and is expected to be put into operation in 2012.

Dr. Jian Zhang and Prof. Qi-Hong Lou were invited by the organization committee to give presentations, entitled “The fabrication and optical spectroscopic properties of rare earth doped Y2O3 transparent ceramics” and “Research on the Heat Deposition in Ceramic Lasers”, respectively at the symposium. They reported the recent developments in transparent ceramics for laser and ceramics laser device in China and drew great interest among representatives. During the symposium, Prof. Shi-Wei Wang submitted an application for hosting the 4th LSC in Shanghai next year, which was supported by all representatives. In the end the organizer announced that the 4th LC will be hosted by Shanghai Institute of Ceramics in November, 2008. Any individual or institution interested in transparent ceramics for laser is warmly welcomed to participate in the symposium next year.