SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 21 - Teruo Hiruma of Hamamatsu Photonics KK and Donald B. Keck of Corning Incorporated were honored with Laurin Publishing's Distinction in Photonics Awards at a ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel. The awards are presented annually by the publishers of Photonics Spectra to those individuals whose dedicated service over the years has contributed to the growth and prosperity of the industry.

In acceptance remarks, both men recalled their long-time association with the technology and its growth from an interesting sidelight of optics technology into the dominant one today.    Hiruma said that he always had a dream of what photonics technology would bring in the future and while most of that had come to fruition, much more lies ahead. In particular he noted that the diode laser, while nearly ubiquitous today, has potential uses that will further expand its applications.

Keck, who related his and his colleagues excitement at first proving the feasibility of fiber optic communications, also pointed out the vast world of opportunity that lies ahead. Like Hiruma, he told the crowd of 200-plus at the ceremony, that one can never tell what lies ahead for a newly discovered technology.    And he pointed out, that while countries like the US have untold millions of miles of fiber cable in place, in some countries one has to walk miles just to find a phone. In others, whole populations have never even made a phone call.

The message from both recipients: Look beyond today's headlines and dare to dream what the future could be.    In addition to the Distinction in Photonics Awards, 25 photonics firms were recognized for developing the most technically innovative new products in the last year. Each was presented with the Photonics Circle of Excellence Award in a ceremony that directly followed Hiruma and Keck's remarks.