UCLA nano institute gets Veeco microscopes
The California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) purchased $1.7 million of atomic-force and scanning-probe microscope systems (AFM/SPMs) and optical profilers for use in the institute’s multiuser core laboratories performing nanoscience research from Veeco Instruments (Woodbury, NY). The fourth quarter 2006 order included Veeco’s new “high value/low cost” Caliber SPM, a Dimension 5000 high-performance AFM, and a Wyko NT 9300 high-performance optical profiler.
In addition, the CNSI is the first customer to purchase Veeco’s new, integrated BioScope II Confocal AFM Package, which features open optical and physical integration between a laser-scanning confocal microscope and an AFM-ideal for versatile biological imaging applications.
China awards McPherson spectrometry contract
McPherson (Chelmsford, MA), a manufacturer of vacuum-compatible instrumentation for measuring wavelengths of light, received a contract from the Chinese HL-2A Tokamak at the Southwestern Institute of Physics (ChengDu, China). Under this contract, McPherson produced and delivered a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectrometer to a research group led by Zhengying Cui, who leads efforts in VUV diagnostics of the fusion research program at HL-2A.
The VUV spectrometer system is used to diagnose fusion plasma in the 30-to-80 nm region to learn more about spectral features related to carbon and oxygen emission. The group will also study metal ions of iron, titanium, and aluminum. The presence of these elements influences fusion events and indicates contamination of the plasma vessel.
UA opens new optical sciences building
The University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) College of Optical Sciences opened its 47,000 sq ft Meinel Optical Sciences Building. The expansion is the first Tucson building selected to receive the Honor Award of the American Institute of Architects and expands the College of Optical Sciences’ capabilities. In conjunction with the expansion, portions of the 40-year-old original optics building were retrofitted to include a glass-walled student library, an undergraduate study room, student teaching laboratories, and an academic office unit.
Dynasil sees revenue gains for optical products
For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2006, Dynasil (West Berlin, NJ) saw revenues of $2.5 million-an increase of 63.8% over revenues of $1.5 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2005. Dynasil manufactures optical materials, components, coatings, and subsystems for the laser, semiconductor, aerospace, and other industries. Its subsidiary Optometrics (Ayer, MA) supplies optical components, including diffraction gratings, thin-film filters, laser optics, and monochromators. In late 2006, Dynasil acquired 100% of the stock of Evaporated Metal Films (EMF; Ithaca, NY), which provides optical thin-film coatings for display systems, optical instruments, satellite communications, and lighting.
Excluding EMF, revenues for Dynasil’s historical businesses were up 22% and net income was up 411%, from $25,000 to $130,000, compared to the three months ended Dec. 31, 2005. Management anticipates a reduced level of EMF losses in quarter two and is targeting profitable results for the second half.
OSA selects ‘Advocate of Optics’
The Optical Society of America (OSA; Washington, D.C.) has selected New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman as its 2007 Advocate of Optics. According to the OSA, Bingaman was selected because of his extraordinary leadership in seeking to increase federal investments in the sciences and to advance energy efficiency through his continued support for energy-saving optical technologies like solid-state lighting. “Senator Jeff Bingaman has shown tremendous commitment to advancing important science policy initiatives in the past year and throughout his career as a public official,” said Elizabeth Rogan, OSA executive director. “His support of scientific R&D funding and alternative energy legislation has had a positive impact on influencing energy policy designed to make the U.S. more energy independent.”
Also in the news . . .
ASML Holding NV (ASML; Tempe, AZ) plans to hire approximately 100 new employees in the U.S. by the end of the year for semiconductor lithography positions in engineering, customer support, and other roles. . . . The University of Juarez (UACJ; Juarez, Mexico) selected its advanced wafer bonding equipment for its research laboratory from SUSS MicroTec (Munich, Germany), a supplier of precision manufacturing and test equipment for the semiconductor and emerging markets. . . . Photon Engineering (Tucson, AZ) released version 6.30 of its FRED optical engineering software with features that target biomedical and illumination applications. . . . Advanced Liquid Logic (Raleigh, NC), a microfluidics “lab-on-a-chip” spinout from Duke University, acquired Nanolytics, another microfluidic solutions provider.