Researchers in Rochester, NY are finding ways to understand some of the mysteries of space without leaving earth. Using high-intensity lasers at the University of Rochester’s OMEGA EP Facility focused on targets smaller than a pencil’s eraser, they conducted experiments to create colliding jets of plasma knotted by plasma filaments and self-generated magnetic fields, reaching...Continue Reading

Component and system provider Thorlabs has continued its expansion up the photonics value chain with the acquisition of Corning’s optoelectronics research group – including significant expertise in quantum cascade laser (QCL) development. And the company has immediately followed that up with a strategic partnership involving Daylight Solutions, the San Diego firm that has developed QCL-based products...Continue Reading

Electromechanical shutters are vital components in a broad spectrum of optical assemblies and systems. Shutter requirements are sometimes not apparent or considered during optical system design; other times, they need to be expanded upon after the launch of a system. Additionally, requirements may be added by the ultimate end user of a system that necessitate...Continue Reading

JML Optical Industries has expanded its offerings to customers with the acquisition of a leading manufacturer of cylindrical optics. The Rochester-based optics developer and manufacturer announced today that it has acquired Harold Johnson Optical Laboratories Inc. (HJOL), located in Gardena, Calif. HJOL manufacturers custom optics in prototype and production volume quantities for customers in the defense, industrial, medical and...Continue Reading

Big day of news for our industry yesterday, Manufacturing Day in America! First, At an event to celebrate Manufacturing Day at New York Photonics member EMF Corporation in Ithaca, New York with their Congressman from New York’s 23rd district (which includes Corning), Tom Reed, and OSA CEO Liz Rogan. Congressman Reed deserved the wonderful welcome...Continue Reading

Yesterday, September 30, 2014, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter wrote a letter to André Gudger, Acting Deputy Assistance Secretary of Defense in the DoD Office of Manufacturing & Industrial Base Policy (MIBP). MIBP’s Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program will stand up two manufacturing innovation institutes that play a critical role in the Obama Administration’s national manufacturing agenda.  (NNMI) Slaughter’s letter supports the...Continue Reading