BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Nov. 7 -- Coherent-DEOS, a member of the Coherent Photonics Group, was awarded a 2001 Small Business Innovation Research Program Tibbetts Award for the development of its Stabilized Integrated Far-Infrared (SIFIR) THz laser technology. "Our SIFIR technology, developed under this program, significantly contributed to the solid commercial foundation of our company," said Anthony DeMaria, Coherent-DEOS founder, "including capturing a substantial NASA contract to place the first THz laser source in space as part of the EOS Microwave Limb Sounder on the Chemistry Space Craft." SIFIR has also enabled laser system sales to the life sciences, detector, spectroscopy, astronomy and telecommunications markets, he said.