Etendue: Lawrence A. (Larry) Johnson
Welcome to Etendue, featuring interesting and accomplished individuals known for their leadership and contributions both with their careers and the College of Optical Sciences, in their own words. (For a similar view on the college’s best and brightest – our students – please check out Another Wavelength among our Students in the Spotlight.)
This week's subject is Lawrence A. (Larry) Johnson, Ph.D. 1981.
Where are you from?
I was born in Texas and, with a father working in the oil industry, I grew up living in Texas, Louisiana and western Canada. My undergraduate degree is in engineering physics from Colorado School of Mines, and my M.S. and Ph.D. are in optical sciences from UA.
Who or what influenced your interest in optics?
My optics professor during my undergraduate years at Mines.
Describe your career in 50 words or fewer.
I did my Ph.D. while working at NOAA and then briefly worked in aerospace, followed by a job developing fiber optic sensors. In 1986 I started ILX Lightwave Corp., which became the world leader in laser diode instrumentation. In 2012, I sold the company to Newport Corp. and retired.
Describe your current job in 150 words or fewer.
Although now retired, I continue my involvement in the photonics industry as the president of the Montana Photonics Industry Alliance. Other interests include mountaineering, travel and cooking.
Share your single best OSC experience.
My interferometry class and lab, which were taught by Jim Wyant.
Why is staying involved with OSC important to you? How are you involved?
I want to stay involved with OSC in order to give back in some way to this great institution that helped make my career possible. I currently serve as a member of OSC's development board. [Editor's note: Johnson has also established a scholarship at the college.]
Name one neat fact about you.
I have maintained a lifelong interest in mountaineering with ascents in the western U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan.