Abstract

Since the 1990 IODC, some of the most dramatic changes in the field of optics have occurred in the optics market place. In optics, the catch phrase for the early ’90s is dual-use technology. Today, the production cost of an optical system is often the key characteristic and the singular measure of feasibility. The performance goals are heavily traded, up front, to meet the cost goals. For commercial products, the cost is market driven and is usually not negotiable.

© 1994 Optical Society of America