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The two companies also announced that Alex Cable, president and founder ofThorlabs, has joined BMC's board of directors, invested in the company, andwill serve as an advisor to BMC.
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Collaboration between Thorlabs and BMC has already generated considerableresults. Researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed anAdaptive Scanning Optical Microscope (ASOM), an innovative microscope thatuses BMC's technology and was licensed by Thorlabs earlier this year. ASOMrepresents the first commercially available adaptive optics instrument.
The new partnership is "an evolutionary next step for thecommercialization of adaptive optics technology," Cable said. "The BostonMicromachines organization represents all the best-fit characteristics forsuccess, most of all that of a unique and creative team."
"This partnership is a signal to the industry that adaptive optics is nowready for prime time," said Paul Bierden, president of Boston Micromachines."With BMC's technological advancements and Thorlabs' venerable position in thephotonics industry, this partnership will drive this proven technology to widedeployment in new commercial applications.
"We are pleased that Alex Cable will be joining our board," Bierdencontinued. "His extensive knowledge of the photonics industry, coupled withhis technical expertise, makes him an ideal choice to serve on BMC's board ofdirectors."
Adaptive optics, which is widely known for its early success in the fieldof astronomy, has experienced significant growth over the last few years.Today researchers are also using it for retinal imaging, microscopy and lasercommunications.
About Thorlabs
Thorlabs, Inc., is a leading designer and manufacturer of equipment forthe photonics industry. Founded in 1989, Thorlabs now operates internationallywith over 400 employees and manufacturing and sales offices in the UnitedStates, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Japan.
About Boston Micromachines Corporation
Founded in 1999, BMC is a leading provider of advancedmicroelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based mirror products for use incommercial adaptive optics systems, applying wavefront correction to producehigh resolution images of the human retina and enhance images blurred by theEarth's atmosphere. Located in Watertown, Mass., BMC is privately held andalso offers custom designed manufacturing services.
For more information, visit http://www.thorlabs.com orhttp://www.bostonmicromachines.com.
SOURCE Boston Micromachines Corporation
