Photonics goes 'high profile' at Photonics West.

SAN JOSE, CA--Judging by the number of new products introduced at Photonics West (January 21-26, 2006) that addressed key social needs such as improved healthcare, communications, industrial efficiency, and security, Ken Kaufmann of Hamamatsu (Bridgewater, NJ) was no doubt being sincere when he noted in the "Executive Panel: Market Direction and Implications for the World of Photonics" that photonics technologies will solve problems and make our lives better.

Kaufmann was not alone in his observations. Paul Meissner, vice president of Global Business Operations for Coherent (Santa Clara, CA), noted in his Executive Panel presentation that the photonics industry can grow beyond its perceived boundaries by increasing the adoption of photonics in consumer-driven markets. Similarly, Giorgio Anania, president and CEO of Bookham (San Jose, CA), said that photonics companies must look beyond the communications industry and invest in industries with a healthy market size and longevity in terms of the life cycle of the products needed for that market.

"We don't …