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New Photonics Hub Coming To New Mexico

US Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
US Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)

  New Mexico's Democratic congressional delegation is applauding an announcement that more than $200 million will be invested in a new federal integrated photonics facility led by the U.S. Department of Defense.  Photonics technologies are used in robotics and other fields.

U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce, Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham said Saturday they welcomed plans for a photonics manufacturing hub in the U.S. and the second of four new institute competitions.

The delegation wrote Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in June underlining their support for the department to create a network of manufacturing innovation institutes across the country.

They say New Mexico's extensive expertise makes it a natural location for additional national investment in research and manufacturing of optics and photonics technologies.

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