Also in the news . . .
The US Food and Drug Administration has forbidden all outdoor laser light shows within 20 miles of any of the three airports serving Las Vegas, NV. This prohibition will be in effect until the agency is assured that these displays will not impact aircraft safety. . . Keithley Instruments (Solon, OH) has bought International Sensor Technology (Pullman, WA) for an undisclosed amount. The acquired firm developed laser-heating technology in thermoluminescence dosimetry for personal radiation protection used by the US Navy. . . . The Air Force Phillips Laboratory (Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM) has signed an agreement with Endeavor Surgical Products (Woodland, TX) to transfer portable medical-laser technology to the civilian market. The agreement includes the Laser Medical Pen, a battery-powered scalpel. . . . Dennis Fortino has been named vice president and general manager of the metrology division of Tencor (Mountain View, CA).