Optics and Photonics

The Florida High Tech Corridor’s optics and photonics sector includes companies of all kinds that make, service, or utilize products that use light. The term “optics and photonics” refers to products and technologies based upon the generation, transmission, detection, and manipulation of light and defines a class of high tech devices and systems that includes sensors, lasers, displays, precision optics (e.g., mirrors and lenses), fiber optics and other telecommunications components, as well as many other complex devices and systems. Optics and photonics are found in almost every application area, including medicine, manufacturing, defense, aerospace, energy, communications, information recording and storage, security, and many others.

The optics and photonics industry had its beginnings in Florida during the 1960s when Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) developed early laser systems. Today, the Corridor has a concentration of companies comprising some of the country’s largest optics and photonics manufacturers, integrators, and end users, with more than 110 companies employing over 2,600 people directly engaged in optics and photonics. With an average salary of nearly $48,000, the sector’s total payroll is more than $115 million, and total company sales exceed $2.2 billion.

The Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) at the University of Central Florida’s College of Optics and Photonics is one of only three degree-granting optics institutions in the United States, with the distinction of being the first College-level institution in the US, and serves as a center of excellence in research and education for and partnership with industry.

The Florida Photonics Cluster (FPC) is a 501c(6) nonprofit industry association designed to support the growth and profitability of the Florida photonics industry through the strength of a unified voice, and to make Florida the place to go for photonics solutions.  The FPC is open to companies and organizations that provide optics and photonics products or services, and also to non-photonics companies who provide services and products to photonics companies.  The FPC is dedicated to enhancing the industry through effective collaboration by bringing together the knowledge, expertise, and service that each organization has to offer.

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