University of Arizona Joins Push for Better Understanding of Photonics

The “average person, or average congressman” doesn’t know much about photonics, according to a coalition of industry and academic groups pushing a National Photonics Initiative.

Part of the problem could easily be the name, said Thomas Koch, dean of the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences, who hosted a push for greater recognition at the college Wednesday, inviting Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz., to hear pleas for greater federal involvement in promoting the industry and funding research.

People recognize the term “optics” as dealing with lenses and light, Koch said. “Photonics,” the generation and detection of that light, puts the science of optics to work, he said.

“We use the terms interchangeably most of the time in the field,” Koch said.

Barber, after touring the nearby Steward Observatory Mirror Lab, where astronomers and optical scientists devise sophisticated measuring techniques for the world’s largest telescope mirrors, pledged to carry the message to Washington.

Article here

1 Response

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Event Calendar

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
The Creative Evolution of OptiPro
The Creative Evolution of OptiPro Mike Bechtold, OptiPro Tuesday, Jan 15 at 7:00 PM Laboratory for Laser Energetics - East Lobby 240 East River Road, [...]
SPIE Photonics West
02/02/2019 - 02/07/2019    
All Day
SPIE Photonics West—The world's largest photonics technologies event, consisting of three conferences and two world-class exhibitions Stay informed about Photonics West 2019 Make sure you [...]
Events on 01/15/2019
The Creative Evolution of OptiPro
15 Jan 19
Rochester
Events on 02/02/2019
SPIE Photonics West
2 Feb 19
San Francisco

Event Details & Registration

View Events

About Us

New York Photonics is a not-for-profit organization founded to promote and enhance the New York State optics, photonics and imaging industry by fostering the cooperation of business, academia and government.

Archives

Past Newsletters