OPEN Optics and Photonics Education News
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Newsletter of the Optics and Photonics College Network |
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Photonics-enabled Pulse Oximeters Help the Fight Against COVID-19
From the Executive Director
Upcoming Events
Welcome to LASER-TEC
Jobs for Graduating Students
Upskill and Re-skill Misplaced Workforce During COVID-19
Enroll in Online Professional Development in Laser-Photonics Technologies
New and Updated Educational Modules and Materials
LASER-TEC Resources
Featured College: Monroe Community College (MCC) - Rochester, NY
OPCN Member Colleges
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Upcoming Events
10/19/2020 - 10/23/2020
Online
10/23/2020
1:00 - 2:00 PM EST
Online
11/09/2020 - 11/13/2020
Online
03/06/2021 - 03/11/2021
San Francisco, CA
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Jobs for Graduating Students
Companies contacting
LASER-TEC for technicians:
Panasonic Corporation
Laser Technician openings
CO2 and Rebuild Manager
Coherent
Fiber Laser Manufacturing Tech openings
Product Line Manager
Brimose Corp of America
Optical technician openings - fiber coupling laser
Account Manager
Companies advertising openings on Indeed.com:
Electro optics technicians: 183 nationwide
Companies: ASML (7), Ball Aerospace (7), Leonardo (6), Veterans Prime, Inc. (5), Northrop Grumman (5), Coherent, Inc. (5), MKS Instruments (5), Applied Materials (5), Areté (5)
Clear Align (4), Department of Veterans Affairs (4), Corning (4), Reliance Test & Technology (4), Power Grid Engineering, LLC (4), Moore Nanotechnology Systems, LLC (4)
Location and number of jobs:
Santa Clara, CA (10), Wilton, CT (7), Melbourne, FL (6), Nashua, NH (6), Eglin AFB, FL (5), Westminster, CO (4), Orlando, FL (4), Ridgecrest, CA (3), Keene, NH (3), Livermore, CA (3), Hillsboro, OR (3), Tucson, AZ (3), Wilsonville, OR (3), Boulder, CO (3), Hampton, VA (3), Salt Lake City, UT (3), Dallas, TX (3), Merrimack, NH (2), East Hartford, CT (2), Rolling Meadows, IL (2), Valparaiso, FL (2), Alexandria, LA (2), Swanzey, NH (2), Broomfield, CO (2), Phoenix, AZ (2), Albuquerque, NM (2), Durham, NC (2), East Granby, CT (2), Minneapolis, MN (2), Los Gatos, CA (2), Oxford, MA (2)
NOTE: Very few companies use photonics as a job title for technicians. When searching, use the job title electro optics to get the best results.
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Photonics-enabled Pulse Oximeters Help the Fight Against COVID-19 |
Hypoxemia—a below-normal level of oxygen in the blood—has been reported in many patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes the disease COVID-19 enters the body through the respiratory system, injuring a person's lungs via inflammation and pneumonia—both of which can negatively impact how well oxygen is transferred into the bloodstream. A pulse oximeter—a device that monitors the functional oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood in a continuous and non-invasive fashion—has become a popular tool to screen for the first signs of hypoxemia and predict severity in patients with COVID-19.
Pulse oximetry—enabled by photonics technology—is based on the principle that oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) differentially absorb red and near-infrared (IR) light. O2Hb absorbs greater amounts of IR light and lower amounts of red light than does HHb; on the other hand, HHb absorbs more red light. Using this difference in light absorption properties between O2Hb and HHb, pulse oximeters emit two wavelengths of light, red at 660 nm and near-IR at 940 nm from a pair of LEDs located in one arm of the probe. The light transmitted through the finger is then detected by a photodiode on the opposite arm of the probe. The ratio of the red light measurement to the infrared light measurement is then calculated by the processor.
Today, pulse oximeters are used in almost all aspects of healthcare and often regarded as a fifth vital sign. Appreciation of how pulse oximeters work is important in understanding the limitations of this technology, especially when interpreting erroneous readings which may occur under various settings and medical conditions.
To read more about pulse oximeters and how they work, visit these links:
To learn more about how pulse oximetry is used in COVID-19 patients, visit these links:
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From the Executive Director |
The October newsletter is a reminder to industry seeking technicians with laser-photonics and opto-electronics skills that a new batch of graduates will be available for hiring in December 2020 - the end of this semester.
Our OPCN partner colleges would be delighted to host your recruiters or employment representatives on their campuses or virtually. This is the time to contact the program managers and make arrangements for a visit and recruiting event at the college of your choice before the end of the fall 2020 semester.
For a complete list of the contact persons and college information, please visit this webpage.
This issue includes an article on pulse oximeters reminding us that laser-photonics is an important technology in the fight against COVID-19.
LASER-TEC has mailed out nearly 200 free Light and Optics Experiment Kits to students studying at home due to the pandemic. One student at Indian River State College who comes from Curaçao (Lesser Antilles island) sent us a video message you can watch by clicking here.
Our online, self-paced, laser-photonics courses for technologists are up and running. They are suitable for working technicians, marketing managers who need technical upskilling, or educators who need to add laser-photonics to their program offerings. For more information, visit our courses page.
All the Best,
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LASER-TEC, Center for Laser and Fiber Optics Education, has been chartered by the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Program in September 2013 to develop and sustain a pipeline of laser and fiber optics technicians to meet the industry demand.
Seven years later, in 2020, we continue working hard toward expansion and strengthening the national photonics technical workforce by building and providing open access to 25 years of knowledge and expertise, as well as a broad range of services and materials developed by us and our partners.
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Upskill and Re-skill Misplaced Workforce During COVID-19: Photonics and Laser Technologies are Essential |
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COVID-19 and widespread business closures have led to millions of jobs lost in the United States. It has disproportionally affected workers in low-wage jobs, primarily in the customer service sector. Quick credentialing in photonics-based technologies is a path to recovery for misplaced workers. During the spread of COVID-19, photonics companies sustained their operations playing an essential role in the national pandemic response and economic recovery, supporting healthcare, telecommunications, utilities, defense and security, and other sectors. Jobs in photonics are secure, well-paid, and provide opportunities for further development. OPCN colleges already have an infrastructure and a platform to support quick training and credentialing in laser technologies, fiber optics, solar, precision optics, and more. LASER-TEC has developed an informational brochure to help OPCN colleges with establishing these fast-track training programs. If interested, contact us at info@laser-tec.org. |
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Enrolling Now: Online Professional Development in Laser-Photonics Technologies |
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During this time of uncertainty and precaution, we have modified the format of our professional development program. The series of online Laser-Photonics courses is now open-entry and self-paced to help accommodate educators' and industry professionals' busy schedules and continue building a stronger knowledge base in photonics disciplines. The series consists of the following five courses. We currently offer the first three courses and the last two will be available in the near future:
· Introduction to Photonics
· Geometrical and Physical Optics
· Fundamentals of Fiber Optics
· Laser Systems and Applications (TBA)
· Spectroscopy and Applications (TBA)
Each class consists of two parts: online theory and laboratories in a face-to-face setting at Indian River State College, FL. One can choose to take only online or both parts of each course. The course descriptions, registration, and other information about our professional development courses can be found on our website.
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New and Updated Educational Modules and Materials |
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LASER-TEC is currently working on developing new and updating some of the existing photonics educational materials. Both college and K-12 educators will soon have access to these products:
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New 2021 edition of the Light and Optics Experiment Manual and Kit. The new edition will include feedback by our technical reviewers, new experiments, and updated content of the kit. All 23 experiments in the 2021 edition will be supported by the kit. No additional equipment or tools will be required.
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Educational module “Semiconductor Lasers”. The content of the module is being finalized based on the results of the recently completed technical review.
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Educational module “Applications of Lasers in Medicine”. This module is currently being reviewed by subject matter experts from both industry and academia.
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New module on “Applications of Wide-Band-Gap Devices” in lasers is currently under development in partnership with PowerAmerica, a National Manufacturing Institute.
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Whether you are looking for support with your college program's outreach, curriculum design, academic-business partnerships, or student placement, LASER-TEC has resources for you. Visit the Resources tab on our website to browse textbooks, kits, laboratory manuals, and informational and outreach materials. The current collection is comprised of both LASER-TEC and OP-TEC materials. Don't forget to check this page often, as we will constantly upload additional resources.
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Featured College: Monroe Community College (MCC) - Rochester, NY |
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Located in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State, Monroe Community College offers stackable certificate and associate degree programs to prepare technicians for the region’s vibrant optics industry. Rochester area employers have relied on MCC since 1963 to educate generations of optical technicians. MCC is the only college in the world where students can earn an associate degree in optical systems technology.
Optics are an essential part of the design and production of consumer electronics, lasers, eyeglasses, telescopes and cameras, to name just a few. Skilled optical technicians work with engineers and scientists using high technology to inspect and test optical components and assembly systems. Optics skills open the door to fantastic opportunities with top companies. More than 700 technicians have graduated and are working in the optics and photonics industry throughout the United States. Companies that have hired graduates of these programs include: Bausch + Lomb, Coherent, Corning Inc., Eastman Kodak, Excelis Inc., IBM, IDEX, ITT Goulds Pumps, JML Optical, L-3 Technologies, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Lockheed Martin, Optimax, OptiPro, QED, Rochester Precision Optics, Spectra-Physics, Sydor Optics, Texas Instruments, Xerox, and many more.
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Associate of Applied Science Degree in Optical Systems Technology
The Optical Systems Technology degree offers a unique, two-year comprehensive program that prepares graduates for work in high technology fields which apply light and optical principles.
The curriculum combines the study of optics with electronics to prepare students for careers in electro-optics, as well as traditional precision optics fabrication.
The course of study gives students the opportunity to operate much of the same precision equipment and state-of-the art optical systems used in industry.
Graduates of this program work with scientists and engineers in research, development, design, production, quality control, test, and evaluation of optical components and systems, as well as sales and service.
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Skills of A.A.S. degree graduates: |
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- Evaluate optical systems using a number of geometrical optics test procedures
- Evaluate optical systems using a number of wave optics test procedures
- Take standard measurements and evaluate typical electro-optic configurations
- Understand and perform basic and advanced optical manufacturing techniques for today’s precision optical components
- Understand and perform basic and advanced metrology techniques for testing optical systems and individual optical components
- Handle and clean an optical surface according to industry standards
- Form an achromatic doublet by assembling, aligning, and cementing two optical elements
- Use interferometers to measure optical components
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- Identify the centration and spacing of optical surfaces in an assembly using an optical centering system
- Assess the optical performance of an optical system using an Optical Transfer Function (OTF) measurement system
- Describe particulate control in a laminar flow clean environment
- Interpret optical drawings
- Prepare Quality Assurance (QA) reports and detailed laboratory reports
- Inspect an optical surface to identify particles, scratches, and digs down to the micron size scale
- Basic workplace skills including technical writing, oral communication, teamwork, and problem solving
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Stackable Certificate in Optical Systems Technology |
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MCC’s Optical Systems Technology Certificate program provides a solid optics background with options to focus on manufacturing, testing, or electro-optics/photonics applications. The certificate program is designed to be completed in one year. All certificate courses may be applied to the requirements of the A.A.S. degree program for students who decide to continue their studies. |
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Contact Information
Name: Dr. Alexis Vogt, Professor and Endowed Chair, Optical Systems Technology
Telephone: (231) 995-1995
Address: 1000 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623
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How can I recruit from this college?
Companies interested in recruiting MCC optics students should contact the optics program director listed above. Graduates are available every December and May. Campus recruiting visits to present your company and employment opportunities are welcomed. MCC will make available, free of charge, a private room to interview interested students.
MCC is leading the effort to expand the precision optics manufacturing apprenticeship nationwide. Please contact us if your company is interested in participating in our apprenticeship program. Additionally, please contact us if you would like to hire one of our students as a summer intern.
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OPCN Member Colleges
The Optics and Photonics College Network (OPCN) is an association of postsecondary photonics technician educators operated by LASER-TEC. To learn more about the OPCN and to view the list of member institutions, please visit www.laser-tec.org/opcn
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Join the Conversation
We hope you enjoyed this edition of the OPEN newsletter. We would really like to hear from you. If there is some subject that you would like us to discuss or look into, please let us know at info@laser-tec.org
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OPEN is published by the LASER-TEC Center for Laser and Fiber Optics Education |
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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DUE-1700352. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. |
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