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Optics Valley FOCUS
July 2025
| Optics Valley is a Committee of the Arizona Technology Council | | |
Dear Katie,
Welcome to this edition of FOCUS, your source for the latest updates and opportunities across Arizona’s optics and photonics community. From groundbreaking achievements in astronomy to high-impact business events and industry awards, this issue highlights the innovation, momentum, and connections driving Optics Valley forward. Read on to catch up on member news, policy wins, upcoming events and new companies joining our network.
Be part of FOCUS. Send your member news submissions, comments and suggestions to focus@opticsvalleyaz.org.
To add your profile to the Optics Valley Directory, find optics resources, or for more information, contact us at directory@opticsvalleyaz.org.
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Optics Valley Celebrates First Look at the Universe from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory
University of Arizona astronomers and the Optics Valley community are celebrating the first images from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a major milestone in a project that highlights Tucson’s central role in advancing astronomy. The observatory features a giant mirror crafted at the University’s Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab and the world’s largest digital camera, with nearly half its sensors built in Tucson. Over the next decade, the Rubin Observatory, originally known as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, will scan the southern sky every few nights as part of the upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time. This will generate massive amounts of data to study dark matter, asteroids, and cosmic phenomena, ushering in a new era of astronomical discovery driven by Tucson innovation.
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Get a behind the scenes look at how Optics Valley member company Arizona Optical Metrology (AOM) contributed to this ambitious astronomy project here!
| | RTX Joint MEOS / MRFS Symposium Supplier Showcase | | |
Please save the date for this year’s Supplier Showcase Event, hosted by the RTX Multifunction Electro-Optical Systems (MEOS) / Multifunction RF Systems (MRFS) Technology Network at their upcoming Technical Symposium. This event is currently scheduled for September 30th, 2025, at the Desert Diamond Conference Center in Tucson, AZ.
As an exhibitor at the symposium, you will have the opportunity to showcase your company's offerings, products and services and connect with an audience of world class defense and aerospace professionals. If interested in participating, contact the Symposium Supplier Event Lead, Mary Germaine, at mary.a.germaine@rtx.com. For more background on the overall symposium, contact richard.gaughan@rtx.com.
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SPIE Prism Award 2026 Applications Now Open -
Showcase Your Innovation!
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The SPIE Prism Awards, the "Oscars of Photonics", are now accepting applications for 2026. This prestigious international competition honors the best new products and groundbreaking technologies in optics and photonics.
We encourage all companies in Optics Valley to take this opportunity to shine on the global stage. Whether you're developing cutting-edge imaging systems, revolutionary optical components, or transformative quantum technologies, the Prism Awards offer a powerful platform to showcase your innovations to the world. Winners receive global recognition, industry credibility, and visibility among top decision-makers and investors.
| | Section 174 R&D Expensing Provisions Pass Congress | | The Arizona Technology Council is celebrating a major legislative win for innovation and tech-driven businesses across our state and the nation. Last week, Congress passed legislation that includes critical reforms to Section 174 of the U.S. tax code, restoring full and permanent expensing for research and development (R&D) investments, a long-standing priority for the Council and the tech industry nationwide. It also includes retroactive relief for small businesses, allowing companies with annual receipts of $31 million or less to reclaim previously incurred R&D expenses and receive refunds. | | Welcome New Optics Valley Members! | | | | Tiberius Aerospace is a modern defense technology company built to empower the U.K., U.S., and their global allies with continuously evolving weapons systems that maximize lethality at cost-efficient scale. Through its unique Defense-as-a-Service (DaaS) model, Tiberius separates design from manufacturing to enable allied nations to rapidly deploy precision-guided munitions, advanced missiles, and autonomous platforms - equipping them to counter modern threats with speed, precision, and efficiency. | | | | Litespar, based in Tucson, Arizona, develops and produces aerospace and maritime laser-based instruments for satellites and other missions requiring smaller, lighter, and more efficient laser and lidar systems. Their customers include NASA, DoD, and aerospace companies. Operating since 2008, Litespar is ITAR compliant and maintains aerospace standards. They offer innovative laser technology, research and development, engineering test units and production ensuring high efficiency, reduced volume and weight, and NASA flight qualification. | | |
Our mission is to catalyze, convene and connect optics, photonics, astronomy and the supporting business interests throughout Arizona. Let us know how we can help your company grow.
Thank you,
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Optics Valley FOCUS Newsletter Sign Up
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FOCUS is a summary of business news and events for the optics, photonics and astronomy sectors in Arizona. Please send your submissions for recommended inclusion to focus@opticsvalleyaz.org.
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