Prism Awards Finalists

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 January 28, 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.photonicsprismaward.com, www.spie.org/photonics-west.xml and www.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	NoblePeak Vision Corp.
Applied Scintillation Technologies Ltd.	Nufern
Aragon Photonics Labs S.L.U.	Ocean Optics
Awaiba CMOS Image Sensors	Olympus
BaySpec	OneLight Corp.
BioPhotonic Solutions	OptiPro Systems
Cambridge Research & Instrumentation Inc	Optronic Laboratories Inc.
Coherent Inc. (4 products)	Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
Critisense Ltd.	Osram Opto Semiconductors Inc.
CytoViva Inc.	Oxsensis Ltd.
Daylight Solutions	Photon etc Inc.
DeltaNu	Physik Instrumente
Eastman Kodak Company	PicoQuant GmbH (2 products)
Eclipse Energy Systems	PolarOnyx
Edmund Optics	Polytec GmbH (2 products)
Energetiq Technology	Powerlase
Eolite Systems	Pranalytica Inc.
ESDI	Princetel
Fianium	PyroPhotonics Lasers
Finesse Solutions	QED Technologies
GFMesstechnik GmbH	QPC Lasers (2 products)
Hamamatsu Photonics	Scientific Solutions Inc
Headwall Photonics	Semrock
Hinds Instruments Inc.	Sensor Electronic Technology
InfraReDx	Solyndra
Innolume	Swagelok
JPK Instruments AG	Tessera (2 products)
Labsphere	Texas Instrument
LIMO Lissotschenko Mikrooptik GmbH	Thorlabs/Boston Micromachines
Lockheed Martin Aculight	Tiger Optics LLC
Lumera Laser GmbH	Trumpf Laser
Luxtera	TSI Inc.
Mobius Photonics	Xceed Imaging
Newport Corp.