Arizona’s optics industry is world-renowned, with over 80% of the Arizona Optics Industry Association Member companies ranging from large aerospace corporations to research facilities and entrepreneurial start-ups situated here in the southern Arizona.
In fact, Tucson is often referred to as “Optics Valley” because of its high concentration of highly visible optics-related companies along with the large talent pool located here. The Optics Cluster represents a broad range of products and services, including optical design and engineering, fiber optic components for telecommunications, lasers and semiconductors, metrology instrumentation, high precision optical fabrication, high volume precision plastic optics, precision measuring and positioning equipment, microscopes, and telescopes, opto-electronics, image processing, software and optical coatings/thin films.
Benchmark data collected in 2001 suggests that while cluster membership is predominantly from small companies, optics revenue in Tucson alone may account for over $600 million and more than 1400 jobs. Proximity to the Mexican border and an active relationship with Canada’s optics leaders have added to Southern Arizona’s market position.