When Photonics Spectra conducts a research project with its readership, the results are not always what we anticipate. Salary surveys for our industry in particular can be quite revealing because this topic is not often discussed and the information is not readily available. But it can often provide clues as to the overall health of the industry. Some manufacturers are reporting robust growth while others say their businesses remain flat. How this situation would be reflected in the job market was not something we could predict.In this year's survey of the European market, there are, in fact, signs that things are improving some-what. Some respondents reported that they have received small pay increases...