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HomeEventsOSSC Meeting - May 13, 2026 - A survey of optomechanical over the past 47 years

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OSSC Meeting - May 13, 2026 - A survey of optomechanical over the past 47 years

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About this event


WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2026 @ 6PM

Combined In-Person Meeting & Webinar

A survey of optomechanical over the past 47 years

 Virginia "Ginny" Ford

Director of Engineering, Eidetic Optical Systems

6:00 pm: In-Person Reception
7:00 pm: On-line Login & Networking
7:00 pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: OSSC Business
8:00 pm: Technical Presentation

Dinner Fee
Members: $35, Non-Members: $45, Student Members: $10
Late Fees of $10, after 11:59 pm May 9
(No Fee for attending without dinner)

Registration Required (will be opened on April 8th)
Online Registration until Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Download Meeting Announcement

Abstract:


Optomechanical engineering has been an intriguing and interesting career path.  This talk will review optomechanical projects starting in 1979 and ending with current (2026) zoom lens hardware.  Topics include: early infrared ground based equipment; space science instruments that study the Earth’s atmosphere, went to Mars, went to Jupiter; searched for other galaxies, and identified habitable planets around other stars; a brief sojourn into nanostructures; engineering the international ground-based Thirty Meter Telescope; engineering an instrument going to Jupiter; and a demonstration of state-of-the art zoom lens technology. 



Bio:

For the past 3 years, Virginia Ford has been the Director of Engineering at Eidetic Optical Systems, a small company specializing in fixed focus and zoom lens systems in all wavebands.  From 1986 – 2006 and 2017 to 2023 she worked at Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a Principal Engineer, primarily on optomechanical design of space science instruments.  From 2009 – 2017, she worked in the Optics group of the ground-based Thirty Meter Telescope.  She also spent from 2006 to 2009 as General Manager of Atomate, a small start-up nanotech company.




You must be an OSSC Student Member to receive the meal discount. Student Members are Individual Members who are currently enrolled in school at least part-time and are not working full-time.  Please email Russell Rauch (Memberships@ossc.org) to update your membership type if needed.




Date and Time

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 6:00 PM until 9:30 PM

Location

Raffi’s Catering and Banquet
https://www.raffiscatering.com/
3887 E Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA  91107
USA
6263510900

Contacts(s)

Russell Rauch
Membership Chair (Registration & Student Issues)
(626) 833-1046 (p)


Robert F Cartland
Webmaster (Technical Issues)
626-485-4148 (c)

Category

OSSC Regular Meeting

Registration Info

Registration is required
Payment in Full In Advance Or At Event
CODE OF CONDUCT: Attendees are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at OSSC events. Violation of this code of conduct may result in exclusion from future OSSC events and/or the suspension or termination of OSSC membership.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY: You, as an Attendee of the event, agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless Optical Society of Southern California, Inc. and their respective officers, directors, members, employees, agents, and others associated with this event from and against any and all liabilities, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, and from any and all liability for any acts, omissions or occurrences which may result, directly or indirectly, in injury to the Attendee, or Attendee's personal property, as a result of participation in or association with the event, including travel to and from the event.

CONSENT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED: Your registration, attendance and/or presence at this event, constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media throughout the universe in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event. You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent given by you and by your attendance. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not attend this event.
Registration cancellations will be accepted until Monday, May 11, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Cancellation Policy:
Please let the Arrangements Chair (Events@ossc.org) know as soon as possible if you need to cancel.

Payments made in advance will normally be issued a credit that may be applied to future payments (membership or events). Please contact the Treasurer (Treasurer@ossc.org) if this posses a problem.

Member's typical receive a meal discount. Non-members may join OSSC to receive the discount.

MEMBERS - REMEMBER TO LOG IN BEFORE REGISTERING.

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* This can be your primary registrant type. Only one primary registrant type is allowed per registration.
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Meeting, Presentation & Dinner (In-Person)
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