Innovations in optics, photonics and imaging are the basis of many broader technologies, which makes this expanding industry a key component of New York State’s 21st-century business plan.
R&D and skilled talent, the lifeblood of this industry, are abundant in New York State, thanks to the state’s continual investment in both over the past two decades. In fact, New York State leads the nation in combined public and private R&D and is among the nation’s largest R&D employers.
Rochester is an OPI world leader; home to 150+ companies that tap into New York’s expertise in biophotonics, digital imaging, vision science, semiconductors, precision optics, lasers and aerospace and defense applications. That, plus supply chain firms, including Bausch + Lomb, Corning Tropel, JML Optical, Rochester Precision Optics and IDEX Health & Science. And there's the necessary infrastructure—from polishing and grinding to rapid prototyping—to support OPI businesses.
New York State boasts leading innovative optics, photonics and imaging resources, including the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics and Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester Institute of Technology’s Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science and the Lobozzo Photonics and Optical Characterization Lab.
The region is cultivating an ecosystem of talent. Luminate NY, the world’s largest business accelerator for OPI startup firms, is based in downtown Rochester. Also in Rochester: the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics), a Manufacturing USA Institute sponsored by the Department of Defense, that’s bringing together the nation’s leading talent from companies, universities and federal research institutions to develop the next generation of integrated photonics and deliver global manufacturing leadership.
in patents for optics, photonics and imaging from the Greater Rochester region, per capita
in the U.S. are educated in the Rochester area, home to Monroe Community College's only associate degree in optical systems technology
Photonics Attraction fund to encourage companies to expand manufacturing operations for integrated photonics technologies in the Greater Rochester region.
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