OPTO–Southwest, SPIE�s Regional meeting on Optoelectronics, Photonics, and Imaging, September 17 to 18, in Tucson, AZ, brings SPIE's regional conference concept back to its birthplace. The 2001 regional conference, which will be held at the Tucson Convention Center, includes the following conference topics:
Astronomical Optics, Fiberoptic Communication Systems and Devices, Integrated Optics and Micro Optics Design, Optical Imaging in Medicine, Photonic Materials and Devices, Precision Optical Measurements, and Defense Systems Optics.
The conference's continuing education program includes courses on Practical Optical Systems Design, Adaptive Optics, Electro-Optical Imaging System Performance, Basic Optics for Engineers, Material Properties and Fabrication for Stable Optical Systems, The Mechanics of Image Motion, DWDM Technology, Understanding Lasers, Photonics Components, and Fiberoptic Devices and Systems.
The Evening Plenary Presentation—How to Improve Your Image: A Potpourri of Interesting and Exciting Topics in Optics and in Magic— will be presented by Robert E. Fischer of Optics 1 Inc. (Westlake Village, CA). The talk will be “a fast-paced journey through many interesting and revealing aspects of optical design.” This talk is open to the public.
Tucson continues to grow as a leading center for optics activities. With over 200 members in the Arizona Optics Industry Association (AIOA) and North America�s foremost university for optics graduate programs, the city attracts a steady flow of distinguished optical engineers from around the world. Tucson has been a traditional hotbed of optical entrepreneurship and over time several homegrown companies have established themselves. Interestingly, several of the largest local companies have been sold recently as part of the current consolidation wave. (Opto Power was purchased by Spectra Physics, and Wyco was purchased by Veeco.)
The AOIA, which functions as the implementing organization for the region's optics cluster, collaborates with the Arizona Department of Commerce on international trade missions, both taking Arizona optics companies to other countries and bringing optics representatives from other countries to Arizona. This year alone optics visitors from Mexico, Malaysia, France, New Zealand, Germany, Japan and Korea have visited Tucson. Arizona optics professionals have visited Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, Germany and other countries.
The AOIA has a strong relationship with the University of Arizona's Optical Sciences Center, which is this year admitting 54 new students to its program and undergoing a $17 million expansion. The Arizona optics industry works closely with OSC in acquainting the business sector with optics research undertaken there and
in fostering participation in OSC's Industrial Affiliates program. Contact Jim Wyant Director, Optical Sciences Center (520-621-6997) for more information.
Last year AOIA worked closely with Pima Community College as it developed a new optics certificate program. There are 3 tracks: a 1-year optics certification, a 2-year optics certification, and a 2-year university transfer track program. Contact Lazaro Hong for information on Pima Community College' Optics Certificate Program (520-206-5226).
For more details on OPTO–Southwest, visit SPIE.