This category covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing instruments and apparatus that measure an optical property
industry employed approximately 22,100 persons,
generated about $3.74 billion in shipments in 2000
On the verge of widespread product application were "switchable optical elements" (SOEs)
Long-term growth in the industry will depend on the ability of U.S. companies to continue to introduce new optical technologies and improve on existing ones,
Companies in this industry manufacture a plethora of devices, including weapon-firing control mechanisms, optical laser-sighting systems, binoculars, borescopes,
The largest segment of this industry--about one-third of industry sales--is sighting, tracking, and fire control equipment, much of which is used in missile systems,
Most devices in this industry use lenses. Some products, however, do not utilize lenses
W. T. Welford has written: 'Aberrations of optical systems' -- subject(s): Aberration, Design and construction, Geometrical optics, Optical instruments 'High collection nonimaging optics' -- subject(s): Optical instruments 'Useful optics' -- subject(s): Optical instruments, Optics 'Aberrations of the symmetrical optical system' -- subject(s): Aberration, Design and construction, Geometrical optics, Optical instruments
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were at least 500 companies engaged in the manufacturing of optical instruments and lenses in the late 1990s.
Optical instruments include - telescopes, microscopes and magnifying glasses.
Pantazis Mouroulis has written: 'Current developments in lens design and optical engineering IX' -- subject(s): Design and construction, Congresses, Optical instruments, Lenses, Imaging systems 'Current developments in lens design and optical engineering VIII' -- subject(s): Design and construction, Congresses, Optical instruments, Lenses, Imaging systems 'Current developments in lens design and optical engineering X' -- subject(s): Design and construction, Congresses, Optical instruments, Lenses, Imaging systems 'Geometrical optics and optical design' -- subject(s): Geometrical optics, Optical instruments, Design and construction
Lori Weisenbach has written: 'Emerging optics markets' -- subject(s): Holography industry, Market surveys, Optical fiber industry, Optical industry, Optoelectronics industry