About
From 1989 to 1999, RPC developed new precision optical surface-relief technology using government funding largely through the SBIR program and DARPA’s Technology Reinvestment (TRP) Program, and through industrial development contracts in conjunction with a number of large commercial and defense-related companies.
By 1999, the technology that RPC had developed was ready for commercial applications. During the emerging optical telecommunications boom, RPC was acquired by Corning Incorporated in February 1999, renamed Corning Rochester Photonics Corporation (CRPC) and was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corning. CRPC focused primarily on the development of new micro-optics components and systems for optical telecommunication systems. CRPC also worked closely with other Corning divisions to design and develop novel screen technology for rear projection displays employing the new emerging micro-display devices.
Unfortunately, despite the success of its technology and process development, wit