National Press Release

Photonics innovation awards will be presented at Photonics West 2009

PITTSFIELD, Mass., and BELLINGHAM, Wash., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and Laurin Publishing, publisher of Photonics Media, have announced the 67 finalist companies for the 2008 Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation, the premier competition for the photonics industry worldwide.

The Prism Awards, introduced for the first time in 2008, recognize the best in innovative technology within the multi-billion dollar business of photonics. A distinguished panel of 28 independent judges, acknowledged as experts in their respective fields, selected the finalists in nine categories including optics; lasers; other light sources; detectors, sensing and imaging systems; analytical, test and measurement; photonics systems; photonics processes; sustainable/green technology; and life sciences.

Winners in each of these categories will be presented with their awards on 28 January during a ceremony and banquet at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA. The event coincides with SPIE Photonics West 2009 conference and exhibition, the largest event in the field.

"Photonics technologies affect nearly every aspect of life - energy production and distribution, communications, consumer electronics, medicine, biotechnology, manufacturing, analysis of climate change, and security, to mention a few," said SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs. "The Photonics Prism Awards program is one way we are helping to accelerate innovation and move technology to market. We are pleased to honor and promote the technological creativity and vision represented by these entries."

"The successful launch of the Photonics Prism Awards demonstrates how committed we are to the future of photonics technology and its impact on the planet for years to come," said Thomas Laurin, vice president of Laurin Publishing. "Response to the awards in the first year was very strong, and the products and processes submitted for review are world-class. They reflect both the leadership and expertise of the organizations in this field."

Finalists for the Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation are listed below and can be viewed online at www.PrismAward.org, SPIE.org/photonics-west.xml and photonics.com.

SPIE is the international optics and photonics society founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving the interests of its more than 188,000 active constituents representing 138 different countries, SPIE acts as a catalyst for collaboration among technical disciplines for information exchange, continuing education, publishing opportunities, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. As the organizer and sponsor of approximately 25 major conferences and education programs annually in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific, SPIE provides publishing, speaking, and learning opportunities on emerging technologies. SPIE contributes more than $1.6 million annually in scholarships, grants, and other programs supporting research and education around the world. For more information, visit SPIE.org.

Laurin Publishing is located in Pittsfield, MA, with additional offices throughout the world. Under Photonics Media, the company publishes Photonics Spectra, Biophotonics International, EuroPhotonics, The Photonics Showcase, The Photonics Directory and Photonics.com. For more information visit www.photonics.com.

Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation 2008 Finalists

    4D Technology
    Applied Scintillation Technologies Ltd.
    Aragon Photonics Labs S.L.U.
    Awaiba CMOS Image Sensors
    BaySpec
    BioPhotonic Solutions
    Cambridge Research & Instrumentation Inc
    Coherent Inc. (4 products)
    Critisense Ltd.
    CytoViva Inc.
    Daylight Solutions
    DeltaNu
    Eastman Kodak Company
    Eclipse Energy Systems
    Edmund Optics
    Energetiq Technology
    Eolite Systems
    ESDI
    Fianium
    Finesse Solutions
    GFMesstechnik GmbH
    Hamamatsu Photonics
    Headwall Photonics
    Hinds Instruments Inc.
    InfraReDx
    Innolume
    JPK Instruments AG
    Labsphere
    LIMO Lissotschenko Mikrooptik GmbH
    Lockheed Martin Aculight
    Lumera Laser GmbH
    Luxtera
    Mobius Photonics
    Newport Corp.

    NoblePeak Vision Corp.
    Nufern
    Ocean Optics
    Olympus
    OneLight Corp.
    OptiPro Systems
    Optronic Laboratories Inc.
    Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Osram Opto Semiconductors Inc.
    Oxsensis Ltd.
    Photon etc Inc.
    Physik Instrumente
    PicoQuant GmbH (2 products)
    PolarOnyx
    Polytec GmbH (2 products)
    Powerlase
    Pranalytica Inc.
    Princetel
    PyroPhotonics Lasers
    QED Technologies
    QPC Lasers (2 products)
    Scientific Solutions Inc
    Semrock
    Sensor Electronic Technology
    Solyndra
    Swagelok
    Tessera (2 products)
    Texas Instrument
    Thorlabs/Boston Micromachines
    Tiger Optics LLC
    Trumpf Laser
    TSI Inc.
    Xceed Imaging

SOURCE Laurin Publishing