RPO’s night vision lens. [Image: RPO]
Optical solutions company Rochester Precision Optics (RPO), USA, announced in early March that it had secured a US$50 million financial commitment. The company says the funds will allow it to expand its development and manufacturing capabilities, with the goal of competing on a global scale.
“This investment is a significant step forward in our mission to solidify RPO as a global leader in optics manufacturing,” said RPO President Mike Davenport. “By enhancing our capabilities and attracting top-tier talent, we are not only strengthening our competitive edge but also ensuring that our customers across industry segments have access to the highest-quality optical solutions that will assure their continued success.”
Looking to expand
According to the company, the funding comes from a combination of private investors and customer promises based on contracts that RPO has won for a future project. RPO says the financial commitment will be used to expand all of its operations, including “scaling production capacity, advancing optical technology innovation and expanding its highly skilled workforce.”
The vertically integrated company offers customers support from design to manufacturing with high-volume production capabilities in expertise such as polymer optics, precision glass molding, electro-optical systems assembly and diamond turning. With the investment, RPO says it plans to compete with international groups across the medical, security, industrial and critical product fields.
With the investment, RPO says it plans to compete with international groups across the medical, security, industrial and critical product fields.
A new material
This announcement follows RPO’s introduction in January of its “CLASSIC-6” chalcogenide infrared optical glass in wafer formats up to 200 mm in diameter. “CLASSIC-6’s availability in diameters up to 200 mm enhances its versatility, meeting the demands of larger optical components and addressing the market’s need for germanium alternatives,” said Davenport.
The company says the glass is designed for high-performance infrared applications, offering high transmission in the mid- and long-wave infrared regions, and is a potential sustainable and cost-effective alternative to germanium. China is the leading exporter of germanium, and the material became subject to import restrictions to the United States from China in December 2024. Davenport said that RPO has seen a “sizable uptick” in contacts regarding an alternative to germanium since the China ban took effect.