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Why Choose Photon Engineering?

With several decades of combined engineering experience, many of our staff members are widely recognized as experts in their fields. Combined with our qualified out-of-house network of engineers in Tucson’s Optics Valley, Photon Engineering has become one of the leading optical consulting groups in North America. 

If the project has anything to do with light, we’ve probably done it!

Design Examples

At Photon Engineering, our team of industry experts have worked across a wide array of markets and applications. While we may not have seen your specific problem before, we challenge you to show us a problem we can not solve. With decades of experience, we have accumulated a deep understanding of almost every facet of optical design.

We have partnered with hundreds of clients on various successful consulting projects ranging from observatory spectrometer to a human tissue scanner. The following is a representative sample of systems we have developed: 

• Observatory spectrometer

• IR re-imaging optics

• Telescope relay optics

• Phase-shifting interferometer

• Head mounted display

• Star tracker baffle

• LSST stray light analysis

• Telecentric laser welding lens

• Interocular lens

• Head mounted surgical illuminator

• Solar concentrator

• Zoom projector lens

• Observatory baffle design

• TIR illumination lens

• VIS and IR laser welding optics

• Earth resource satellites/sensors

• Human tissue scanner

• Ocular Hartmann-Shack system

• Plastic camera phone lens

• LED based displays

• Lightpipes for displays/buttons

• VIS and IR beam shaping optics

• Aspheric IR null lens

• Particle detector optics

• LCD projector reflector

• All reflective seeker

• Assembly line barcode illuminator

• Fluorescence detection systems

• Injection molded PC camera lens

• Laser line generator

• LED illuminator for light pen

• TMT stray light analysis

Our Team

Photon Engineering’s in-house optical engineering talent has over 60 years of experience, and work closely with qualified out-of-house network of experts throughout Tucson’s Optics Valley.

When we are part of your team, we are committed to ensuring that your product arrives to the market on time and to spec.

Application Highlight: Stray Light Analysis

Optical System Type: Ground-Based Astronomical Observatory

Customer Needs: Identification and characterization of opto-mechanical system stray light.

Our Solution: Developed a fully configurable opto-mechanical system model for raytrace analysis. Concluded that contributions from optical surfaces and the dome interior structures dominate the stray light background. Quantified the percent stray light contribution from each source.

Ready to work with us? Lets get started! Please submit an inquiry and from there we will thoroughly evaluate your needs and provide you with a plan of action that is best suited for you. For your convenience, we provide different contract types to aid in the planning and budgeting of your project. 

Time and Material Contract

The statement of work (SOW) is developed either by the client alone or in conjunction with Photon Engineering. This contract is ideal for clients that only have a general idea of what they’d wish to explore; therefore the SOW is intentionally vague. 

For the Time and Material Contract: 

  • Clients establish a not-to-exceed (NTE) budget.

  • Photon Engineering consultants work on the contract at an hourly rate and report progress as requested by the client. 

  • Tasks get defined/directed in “real time” by the client.

  • Client controls work products and costs.

  • Contract is finished at the client’s discretion. 


Firm, Fixed Price Contract

The statement of work (SOW) is developed either by the client alone or in conjunction with Photon Engineering. The SOW and schedule for this contract will be very specific. 

For the Firm, Fixed Price Contract: 

  • Photon Engineering submits a firm, fixed price proposal compliant with the SOW and schedule. 

  • Photon Engineering consultants will work on the contract and report progress as per the SOW. 

  • Work product is delivered to the client on time and on budget. 


Reporting and Documentation 

In addition to direct communication, our clients can expect to receive clear and concise documentation during every phase of the project. 

These reports include: 

  • Optical designs (Code V, OSLO, ZEMAX)

  • Optical and mechanical prescriptions (FRED, ASAP, TracePro)

  • Written reports and briefing charts 

  • Fabrication and part drawings

  • Quotations and vendors

  • Prototype and production hardware (through teaming arrangements with other companies). 


Terms and Conditions 

  • We ask for an upfront payment of a percentage of the estimated contract cost to get started on your project. 

  • You’ll receive an invoice upon completion of the project or as stated in the terms of the contract. 

  • We request payment invoices within 30 days. 

Tell Us About Your Optical Engineering Needs


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