SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 27 -- Laurin Publishing Co. presented its annual Circle of Excellence and Distinction in Photonics Awards last night at an awards ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel. The ceremony is held in conjunction with Photonics West 2004. Twenty-five photonics-based companies received Photonics Circle of Excellence Awards, which recognize the most technically innovative products of the year. The awards, now in their 16th year, are given to companies that have pushed the limits of technology in developing new products and processes. The Distinction in Photonics Award honors an individual whose service to the industry over the years has contributed to its growth and and prosperity. This year’s award was presented posthumously to Harvey Pollicove, who was the director of the Center of Optics Manufacturing at the University of Rochester. Pollicove died Jan. 25.