A Rich History in
Optical Solutions

Initially recognized as a leading manufacturer of zoom optical technology, Qioptiq LINOS, Inc. has steadily evolved into a global optical solutions provider.

Having been strategically located just outside of Rochester, New York for more than 25 Years, Qioptiq LINOS enjoys an active role in the optical center of the United States.

TODAY, Qioptiq LINOS is the North American arm of LINOS Photonics Gmbh & Co KG, representing over 4,500 standard optical and photonic components, systems and instruments, as well as providing domestic design, engineering and contract manufacturing services across a wide variety of industries and applications. Our optical solutions serve the machine vision, metrology, inspection, laser materials processing and laser optics needs of OEMs in the semiconductor, biomedical, automotive, commercial aerospace, pharmaceutical, micro-electronics, and high-tech industries, as well as the many areas of government, education and scientific fields.

2009 Qioptiq Imaging Solutions, Inc. merges with LINOS Photonics Inc. to form Qioptiq LINOS, Inc., consolidating operations in Fairport, NY.

2006 Candover Investments plc of London aquires seven THALES High Tech Optics companies, including Thales Optem. Together, they form the new Qioptiq Group, a global optical solutions provider. As a result, Thales Optem becomes Qioptiq Imaging Solutions.

2004 Thales Optem introduces the revolutionary OptiGrid Structured-Illumination Microscopy (SIM) System as an affordable and accessible alternative to conventional confocal imaging. Pioneering this revolutionary technology further opened the life science markets to Thales Optem.

2001 THALES (formerly Thomson CSF), acquires the AVIMO Group transforming AVIMO Precision Instruments into Thales Optem Inc.

2000 AVIMO Precision instruments introduces the re-engineered A-Zoom2 Automated Zoom Microscope line, affording significant performance and optical integrity gains from it's A-Zoom predecessor.

1999 AVIMO Precision Instruments expanded our headquarters from a modest 12,000 sq. ft. building to a state-of-the-art 41,000 sq. ft. optical development and manufacturing facility housing ample assembly and operations space, a clean room, optics test & development lab, a full service machine shop and an inhouse gym for our seasoned staff of imaging professionals.

1996 Amarel Precision Instruments was acquired by the Avimo Group (Singapore) and became AVIMO Precision Instruments.

1994 Optem International unveiled the Zoom 65 Modular 6.5:1 Zoom Optical System, marking the first in a long and successful line of precision zoom optical instruments for OEM integration and research.

1993 Amarel Precision Instruments purchased Image Interpretation Systems (IIS) in 1993 as Optem's sister subsidiary. IIS specialized in precision stereoscopic workstations used for satellite and aerial reconnaissance film analysis.

1984 OPTEM International was founded as a division of Amarel Precision Instruments to develop and manufacture specialized video microscopes for the semiconductor and high-tech manufacturing arenas. Optem® Zoom Optical Systems rapidly evolved.

1980 Amarel Precision Instruments was founded as a distributor of imported laboratory and industrial microscopes.