LOS ANGELES -- OSA Executive Forum 2012 -- Monday's meeting of some of the brightest minds in optical components, systems and services left us looking forward to life after 100Gbit/s, while pondering how any industry with seemingly infinite demand could continue to be so underappreciated in the financial markets.

Please enjoy the following slide show of the day's proceedings by clicking on the photo below and navigating using the arrows above each pic.

Some of the many companies and organizations represented in this photo essay include Google (Nasdaq: GOOG), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), Facebook and, of course, The Optical Society (OSA) . The photos were taken by Amanda C. Edwards/Getty Images. The captions aren't her fault.

For more

• OSA 2011: In Pictures
• OFC/NFOEC 2011: In Pictures

— Phil Harvey, Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading