About the Union

International Commission for Optics
Created in 1947, the International Commission for Optics is an Affiliated Commission of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and part of the International Council for Science (ICSU).  On an international scale, ICO contributes to the progress and diffusion of knowledge in the field of optics. 

Learn more about ICO and its current activities.   

About the USAC

The U.S. Advisory Committee for the International Commission for Optics (USAC/ICO) represents the interests of the U.S. optics community in the International Commission for Optics (ICO), which coordinates the worldwide diffusion of scientific and technical knowledge in the field.  ICO is recognized for outreach programs in support of optics in developing countries, international exchange of scientific information and standards, and sponsorship of international conferences.  The Optical Society of America (OSA), the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE), and the IEEE Photonics Society (formerly known as IEEE/LEOS) are all actively involved in the USAC/ICO.

The USAC/ICO serves to:

• Strengthen U.S. contributions to the international optical communities.
• Enhance outreach efforts within the optical science and technology communities on a global scale.
  Foster collaborations by U.S. researchers in all subfields of optics to international activities.
• Promote international cooperation in optics by participating in ICO activities, such as the ICO Triennial Congress.
  View the most recent Triennial Report here.