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
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
1
2
3
4
5
Oasis7 - The 7th International Conference and Exhibition on Optics and Electro Optics
Please join us at OASIS 7 (Optical Engineering and Science in Israel) of ILEOS (The Israel Lasers and Electro Optics Society). The meeting will be [...]
FAME Annual Event
04/30/2019    
3:30 pm - 7:00 pm
FAME's 2019 Annual Event Will Focus on Apprenticeships! Regional Apprenticeships – A School to Career Connection Featuring Mr. Brent Parton, Deputy Director of the Center [...]
ROSA Annual Dinner
OSA ROCHESTER 2019 ANNUAL DINNER Invited talk to follow business meeting and dinner.  Members and guests register at the event link. Invited Talk: Astrophysics and Recent [...]
Events on 04/30/2019
FAME Annual Event
30 Apr 19
Rochester
ROSA Annual Dinner
30 Apr 19
Rochester

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