A consortium of photonics companies in Rochester, N.Y., has formed Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster Inc. to promote the local business community and encourage cooperation among industry, education and government. It will also serve as a forum to address the regional issues facing the photonics companies.

The cluster, which was coordinated by the Photonics Industry Association of New York, includes ASE Optics, Applied Image Group, LaserMax Inc., Richardson Grating Laboratory, G-S Plastic Optics, Optics Technology Inc., Opto-Alignment Technology and R. Kraft Inc. Christopher Palmer of Richardson Grating will be president.