MIDDLEFIELD, Conn., April 2 --Zygo Corp. announced it has created a new business development group, Zygo Applied Optics (ZAO), to enhance its presence in the defense and aerospace electro-optic systems industries. The new organization will also add electro-optical design and development capabilities to Zygo's precision optical instrumentation businesses. Zygo said the ZAO group is "comprised of selected individuals and leaders from the optical design community in Southern California." ZAO will also augment Zygo's expanding high-precision optical assembly business in Tucson, Arizona. "Integrating a strong, independent core of precision electro-optic system specialists with our established precision optics teams in Middlefield and Tucson is a winning combination for our customers," said Robert Stoner, vice president of business development at Zygo. "Their world-class skills in free space and fiber-based optical design uniquely position Zygo to offer design, prototyping and manufacturing solutions." ZAO will also apply advanced fiber optic technologies to Zygo's motion measurement and interferometric products. For more information, visit: www.zygo.com