A company has been formed to develop and market optically based instruments for use in engineering, basic and applied research, and production test applications. Bristol Instruments Inc. of Victor, N.Y., initially will focus on the photonics research market, which includes scientists and engineers in academic and government laboratories who are involved in the areas of chemistry, biology and physics.

Optical interferometry -- particularly Michelson interferometer-based technology -- will be used to fabricate instruments for accurate spectral characterization. This type of analysis is suitable for photochemistry, optical remote sensing and high-resolution laser spectroscopy. The company plans to later expand its offerings to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and petroleum industries.

Company founders are Brian Samoriski, Michael Houk and John Theodorsen, formerly of Burleigh Instruments Inc.