With more than 1700 attendees and 160 exhibitors expected, SPIE Optifab 2009 will blend research-oriented and commercial presentations on classical and advanced optical manufacturing technologies to offer the opportunity to interact with worldwide experts. Organized jointly by SPIE and the American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association (APOMA), Optifab 2009, which takes place May 11-14 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, is held in conjunction with the largest optical manufacturing product and supplier exhibition in the US. The event’s surrounding area is one of the highest ranked for growth in the photonics industry. The Rochester-Ithaca-Corning triangle features companies involved in high-tech, light-driving technologies, including Xerox, Eastman Kodak, Bausch & Lomb and Corning Inc. The area additionally offers academic support from the University of Rochester, the Rochester Institute of Technology and Monroe Community College. Optifab 2009 will feature 10 short courses, eight sessions comprising more than 70 technical presentations, a poster session and networking reception, and an exhibition by more than 160 companies. Topics to be discussed will include optical fabrication equipment, components, materials and systems; optomechanical components and devices; cleanroom equipment; software, adhesives, glass and consumables; optical metrology and testing equipment; laser system components; and optical thin-film coatings. Attendees can also learn about the latest commercial developments in the optics industry. These include software-assisted scratch inspection, large quartz crystals for radiation-hard optical applications, advances in the production of high-precision aspheres and bound-abrasive polishing of precision surfaces of optics materials. Others include metrology of free-form optics using scanning low-coherence dual-wavelength interferometry, optical glass programs and infrared and ultraviolet materials from Schott North America Inc., and dynamic Fizeau interferometers. The event will include an exhibition dedicated to optical manufacturing and networking opportunities for “hands-on” users of optical equipment. For a small fee, attendees can interact with more than 160 exhibitors May 12-14. Companies slated to attend include 4D Technology, Corning, Flir Systems, Novotech, Optikos, QED Technologies, Sydor Optics, Veeco Instruments, Wordingham Technologies and Jenoptik Laser, Optik, Systeme. For more information, visit: www.spie.org/optifab