OPEN Optics and Photonics Education News
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Newsletter of the Optics and Photonics College Network |
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Upcoming Events
Jobs for Graduating Students
From the Executive Director
Power America Accelerates the Adoption of Wide Bandgap Semiconductors in Laser Power Electronic Systems
The Advancement of Optics and Photonics Now Has a Congressional Voice
Attention Photonics, Optics, and Fiber Optics Industry: Time to Reach Out to LASER-TEC Colleges to Hire New Talent
Helpful Resources for Teaching and Outreach
International Day of Light 2021
LASER-TEC Resources
Featured College: Pasadena City College (PCC) - Pasadena, CA
OPCN Member Colleges
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Upcoming Events
Theory (Online): Open-entry, self paced
Practical Session: TBD
Indian River State College, FL
04/12/2021 - 04/16/2021
Online
05/06/2021
Online
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Jobs for Graduating Students
Companies contacting LASER-TEC for technicians:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
- Photonics/Laser Electro-Optics Technologists (LEOT) openings
Jenoptik Optical Systems
- Assembly Technician openings
- System Test Technician openings
Companies advertising openings on Indeed.com:
Electro optics technicians: 245 nationwide
Companies:
Sig Sauer (23), nLIGHT (11), Northrop Grumman (10), Moore Nanotechnology Systems, LLC (8), Power Grid Engineering, LLC (7), Reliance Test & Technology (6), Veterans Prime, Inc. (5), Coherent, Inc. (5), L3Harris Technologies (5), MKS Instruments, Inc. (4), Raytheon Intelligence & Space (4), AEye, Inc (4), Kodak (3), Arthrex (3), Corning (3), KLA-Tencor (3), LLNL (3), Mars (3), Elbit Systems (2), Epsilon Systems Inc (2), S2 Corporation (2), Glow Networks (2), Tower Semiconductor (2), Facebook (2), PepsiCo (2), US Department of Veterans Affairs (2), Chenega Corporation (2), OPTICS 1, INC. (2), Raytheon Missiles & Defense (2), KARL STORZ (2), Honeywell (2), ASARCO (2), SIG SAUER, Inc. (2), LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION (2), Optovue (2), Aurora (2), Tyto Athene (2), CooperVision (2)
Energizer (2), Longenecker & Associates (2), SA Photonics, Inc. (2), Biomeme (1), Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (1), Princeton University (1), Full Circle Solutions (1), City of Bryan (1), BLTI (1), Delek US (1), IPG Photonics (1), DIXIE CHEMICAL COMPANY (1)
Location and number of jobs:
Jacksonville, AR (11), San Diego, CA (8), Livermore, CA (6), Eglin AFB, FL (6), Swanzey, NH (6), Bozeman, MT (5), Santa Clara, CA (5), Vancouver, WA (5), Exeter, NH (5), Devens, MA (5), Dublin, CA (4), Orlando, FL (4), Hillsboro, OR (4), Newington, NH (4), Wilsonville, OR (4), Santa Barbara, CA (3), Rochester, NY (3), Chicago, IL (3), Fort Smith, AR (3), Corvallis, OR (3), Kearny, AZ (2), Tucson, AZ (2), Goleta, CA (2), Baltimore, MD (2), Merrimack, NH (2), Fremont, CA (2), Piscataway, NJ (2), Colorado Springs, CO (2), Dover, NH (2), Portage, WI (2), Ridgecrest, CA (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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From the Executive Director |
As we are heading into spring, the laser-photonics industry is seeking new technicians to fill its many open positions. Hiring managers and recruiters can find a list of LASER-TEC colleges and contact persons to arrange recruiting visits at this webpage.
Fifty-three companies have 245 openings for electro-optics technicians this month. See the company names and locations on the left column of the newsletter.
In this issue, you can read about our collaboration with Power America and the new module we are authoring on wide bandgap semiconductors, the newly formed Congressional Optics and Photonics Caucus, resources for teaching and outreach, photonics problem based learning webinars, optics TikTok videos, and much more.
We hope you find this information of value and please share it with others who may find it useful.
Wishing you all the best,
Chrys Panayiotou
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Power America Accelerates the Adoption of Wide Bandgap Semiconductors in Laser Power Electronic Systems |
LASER-TEC collaborates with Power America to create a wide bandgap technology module for laser-photonics technicians. Silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) transistors are replacing legacy silicon MOSFETS and IGBTs because of their superior efficiency leading to dramatic energy savings.
The new technology is found in laser energizing systems that technicians will be asked to install, maintain, and repair.
The educational module in wide bandgap technology will be finished by the end of March and then go through peer review. Please follow the link below for the Introduction section of the module. Please email Chrys Panayiotou if you would like to be a reviewer.
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The Advancement of Optics and Photonics Now Has a Congressional Voice |
The Bipartisan, Bicameral Congressional Optics & Photonics (O&P) Caucus hosted its launch event on February 24, 2021. It is co-chaired by Representatives Joe Morelle (D-NY), Brian Mast (R-FL), and Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Steve Daines (R-MT).
The O&P Caucus will work to educate members of Congress and their staff about the importance of light-based research and technologies to the United States’ economy, security, and scientific development. It will also advocate for federal investment in this innovative and exciting space. The O&P Caucus will serve as a positive, proactive voice for the optics and photonics community within Congress and as a bridge to the Administration.
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Attention Photonics, Optics, and Fiber Optics Industry: Time to Reach Out to LASER-TEC Colleges to Hire New Talent |
Spring is the perfect time for optics, photonics, and fiber optics companies to reach out to LASER-TEC colleges to recruit new talent. A new cohort of graduates is ready to enter the workforce usually by June, many ready to start their job before they even graduate. We encourage recruiters, hiring managers, and HR professionals to learn about our programs on the LASER-TEC website and reach out directly to programs managers and faculty members to set up times for a visit and interviews.
On our website, you will find detailed information about each program’s coursework structure, skills, learning outcomes, and contact information. Currently, there are 45 colleges in the LASER-TEC network and nearly 20 of them have active photonics academic programs or certificates. Very often, students are willing to relocate for professional opportunities; we recommend expanding your search beyond local colleges when looking for graduates with specific skillsets.
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Helpful Resources for Teaching and Outreach |
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Series of Free Fiber Optics Webinars from Corning
See the Light Training Program offered by Corning Optical Communications includes a library of pre-recorded webinars on a wide variety of topics in fiber optics technology: from Basic Fiber 101, to Wavelength Division Multiplexing, to Demystifying 5G, the library contains over 30 webinars. This could be a good supplemental teaching resource for college courses in fiber optics.
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Educational Webinars by Problem Based Learning Project
During 2020-2021, the PBL project and The Optical Society are hosting a series of educational webinars. During these webinars, Judy Donnelly and Nick Massa discuss topics in geometrical, wave optical, lasers, fiber optics, and concepts in problem based learning. The pre-recorded events and schedule can be found on the PBL Project website. These webinars can be added to photonics and optics course materials in high schools and colleges.
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Edmund Optics TikTok Educational Videos
A couple of weeks ago, Edmund Optics launched their TikTok account. What is polarization, how 3D moves work, the science behind VR and AR, and other topics are covered in videos that are no longer than 1 minute long. The goal is to teach the basics of optics and other areas of science in a way that is easy to understand and engaging. This can be good material for public and student outreach programs.
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International Day of Light 2021 |
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The international community is preparing for the 2021 International Day of Light. The IDL steering committee has released resources, guidelines, and recommendations which are listed below. We encourage all of our collaborators—both industry and academia—to participate in the celebration of this important day.
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An article on organizing hybrid and online events: https://bit.ly/30xHq81
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Some general advice on event organization: https://bit.ly/3byLfjA
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Updated social media graphics, logos in different languages, and other resources: https://bit.ly/3t87Z04
Please note that if you are planning to organize an event, even if its format is not yet certain, please let the IDL Secretariat know by registering it via the online calendar platform.
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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: Pasadena City College (PCC) - Pasadena, CA |
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Technicians with hardware experience are among the most challenging employees to find and recruit in technical industries. At Pasadena City College (PCC), a curriculum in Laser Technology has been established to teach the skills required to work with precision optics, lasers, detectors, electronics, and nanotechnology. The creation of these courses has been supported by local industry and national laboratories to ensure that students learn modern, relevant laboratory techniques and technologies. Local industrial partners with interest in PCC LaserTech students come from sectors such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, biomedicine, entertainment, communications, and military, among others that develop and apply cutting-edge technologies.
Located in the heart of Southern California, PCC offers programs of study many fundamental and in-demand technical disciplines, such as Geographical information Systems, Computer & Information Technology, and Biotechnology. By enrolling in the PCC LaserTech program, students can earn skills via a comprehensive Associate of Science (AS) degree of Laser Technology or via a certificate of Laser Technology that consists of four focused, applied courses. This program can be completed in as little as two years and has no prerequisites, thereby reducing barriers to entry. These laboratory-oriented optics courses were established over the past decade at Irvine Valley College (IVC), where over 150 students enrolled in LaserTech courses, 84% of whom are still employed in a technical job that involves the hands-on skills learned in the laboratory classroom.
PCC's Associate of Science degree in Laser Technology
Students completing the AS in Laser Technology from Pasadena City College will learn the scientific principles fundamental to the many applications of precision optics, lasers, detectors and cameras, fiber communication, advanced manufacturing, electronics, and optical displays. This includes a focus on the manufacture, inspection, and test of precision optics to established standards, as well as studies of optical components and devices fabricated via nanotechnology.
All courses are taught in a laboratory setting, where students are evaluated not by weekly homework assignments, but by their ability to document industry-quality laboratory reports that demonstrate their mastery of the phenomena or technology being studied. PCC LaserTech courses start with the fundamentals of light, and progress to teach students how to use optical devices, ranging from lenses, mirrors, and prisms to lasers, fibers, and cameras.
Further study instructs students how these devices are fabricated and tested to the highest industrial standards, including topics like cleanroom cleanliness and properly toleranced drawings. Finally, advanced technologies in optics are covered so that students can learn how to operate the measurement equipment required to test and troubleshoot optical assemblies and instruments.
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PCC LaserTech graduates will... |
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- Demonstrate applied comprehension of the basics of optical physics, including phenomena such as imaging, refraction, polarization, interference, and diffraction.
- Be able to trace the path of light through basic optical assemblies and systems.
- Understand the internal components and assembly of optical and electronic devices including laser systems, detectors, and optical displays.
- Safely operate and maintain laser systems.
- Be comfortable configuring and articulating optomechanical and optical hardware in a safe manner on a laboratory breadboard or in a clean flowhood.
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- Maintain, clean, and handle safely optical components, such as lenses, mirrors, and diffraction gratings in a cleanroom environment.
- Write and interpret optics drawings to the ISO 10110 international standard.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of electronics that includes both analog and digital components, as well as common circuit architectures.
- Analyze and troubleshoot technical issues with industrial electronics and optical hardware.
- Communicate technical concepts and document procedures and measured results via written, oral, or electronic format.
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Contact Information
Name: Brian Monacelli
Title: Laser Technology Professor
Address: 1570 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
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How can I recruit from this college?
If your company is interested to recruit students from Pasadena City College, please contact our Laser Technology professor to present your company and its employment opportunities. Please recognize that this program will not begin hands-on education until August 2021 at PCC, but since it was recently transferred from the Laser Technology program at IVC, experienced graduates will have completed Laser and Electronics Technology courses at IVC. The first PCC student cohort is expected to graduate with AS degrees in Laser Technology in May 2023.
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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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