History of Optics Valley
History of Optics Valley
(The Technologies, People, and Arizona Town)
The College of Optical Sciences: Tucson’s Optics Epicenter
The Wyant College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona, originally founded in 1964 as the Optical Sciences Center, was launched under the leadership of Dr. Aden Meinel with funding from the U.S. Air Force. It aimed to meet the defense sector’s urgent need for expertise in optics and imaging. Over time, it grew into one of the world’s premier institutions for optical science education and research.
The college has played a pivotal role in the optics industry by producing thousands of graduates who fuel innovation across sectors ranging from telescopes and medical imaging to semiconductor manufacturing and defense optics. With one of the world’s largest and most diverse optics faculties, the college remains central to Tucson’s identity as a center of photonics excellence.
In 2005, the center was renamed to honor Dr. James C. Wyant, an optical physicist, successful entrepreneur, and former dean who helped expand its reach and commercial impact.
The college has spun out dozens of companies and educated thousands of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who fuel industries including aerospace, healthcare, semiconductors, and quantum technologies.
Dr. Robert P. Breault: Architect of Optics Valley’s Entrepreneurial Backbone
While the University of Arizona laid the academic foundation, Dr. Robert P. Breault was instrumental in transforming Tucson’s optics cluster into the envy of the optics world.
Dr. Breault founded Breault Research Organization (BRO) in 1979, a global leader in optical engineering and stray light analysis software. But more than that, he became a champion of ecosystem building. Here are the key contributions:
- Mentorship & Leadership: Dr. Breault mentored hundreds of optics entrepreneurs, scientists, and students. He was a vocal advocate for turning academic research into commercial ventures.
- Founder of the Arizona Optics Industry Association (AOIA): In the 1990s, he helped organize the optics community and unify local companies to promote the region nationally and globally.
- Promoter of “Optics Valley” Branding: Dr. Breault tirelessly promoted the idea that Tucson could be the “Silicon Valley of Optics”. His persistent branding and public relations efforts helped earn Tucson national media recognition, including the 1992 Business Week article that coined the term “Optics Valley.”
- Economic Development Catalyst: He collaborated with city leaders, educators, and investors to attract talent and grow local companies, ensuring that graduates from the University of Arizona had job opportunities in Tucson.
- Dr. Breault’s vision, advocacy, and hands-on support created the connective tissue between academia and industry, making him a central figure in the rise of Tucson’s optics ecosystem.
The term “Optics Valley” gained widespread attention after the 1992 Business Week article featured Tucson’s rapidly growing optics industry. This branding was driven by the synergy among:
The Birth and Rise of Optics Valley
The term “Optics Valley” gained widespread attention after the October 18, 1992, BusinessWeek article on America’s New Growth Regions featured Tucson’s rapidly growing optics industry. This branding was driven by the synergy among:
- The University of Arizona
- Research labs and national observatories
- Entrepreneurs like Dr. Breault
- Defense contractors and medical optics firms
- The newly formed AOIA (Arizona Optics Industry Association)
This ecosystem expanded to include over 400 companies, many of which directly benefited from the presence of the College of Optical Sciences and the collaborative business environment fostered by local leaders.
Strategic Importance and Lasting Legacy
Tucson’s Optics Valley has delivered vital innovation in:
- Space exploration (e.g., optics for the James Webb Space Telescope)
- Medical imaging and diagnostics
- Quantum optics and secure communications
- Defense systems and autonomous navigation
The collaboration between academia, industry, and civic leadership ensures Tucson’s continued leadership in global photonics innovation.
Arizona Optics Initiative (2019 – 2024)
In January 2019, Strategy1 was awarded a Small Business Administration (SBA) contract to grow Arizona’s optics cluster. The contract base year was 2019, with four additional option years awarded. The Arizona Optics Initiative Team (pictured on the left) coordinated efforts with strategic partners, the Arizona Technology Council, and its Optics Valley Committee. Other key program partners included Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, Tech Launch Arizona, and Tech Parks Arizona.
The Arizona Optics Initiative (AOI) worked with all optics, photonics, and supply chain companies in Arizona, with the Arizona Technology Council Optics Valley Committee as its primary communication channel, to:
- Facilitate scale-up and growth of existing companies.
- Developing business relationships between prime defense contractors and optics and photonics companies.
- Established the framework for an advisory board for the Arizona Technology Council Optics Valley Committee, along with a business continuity plan.
- Launched the planning and formation of Southern Arizona for Optics and Photonics (SCOP) with the charter of developing a Community Lab and other cooperative cluster supports in Optics Valley (Tucson).
- Enhancing the local supply chain. This was especially critical during the pandemic shutdowns.
- Led the effort to develop an Optics and Photonics Technician Program at Pima Community College. Four classes have been developed, with four more in the planning stages.
- Promote the formation and development of entrepreneurial companies.
- Enhance the visibility and community awareness of the Arizona optics industry as a critical enabling technology for the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Modern Impacts and Recognition
In 2021, BizTucson named Optics Valley one of Tucson’s “Top 10 Strengths”, highlighting its strategic advantage in economic development. Optics Valley is deeply integrated into space exploration, national defense, autonomous systems, and medical technologies.
Today, the region stands as a globally recognized center for:
- Precision optics manufacturing
- Advanced imaging systems
- Optical sensors and photonics
- Fusion Energy
- Lasers for directed energy
- Quantum communications
The synergy between academia, industry, and public-sector investment makes Tucson a rare U.S. innovation hub where optical innovation continues to shape the future.
Other Historical References
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