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Press Release Detail: Thorlabs Announces Strategic Alignment With National Instruments Newton, NJ, May 21, 2002 Thorlabs Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative photonics products, has recently undertaken a strategic partnership with National Instruments that will integrate a wide variety of OE components using National Instruments platforms. Thorlabs' new 8-channel power meter can be directly connected to a National Instruments interface using LabWindows or LabView, or the unit can operate stand-alone. Thorlabs will shortly be introducing a SCXI chassis based system, as well as an SCXI ASE broadband light source covering the 1520nm to 1640nm, and a series of SXCI optical switches. Alex Cable, Founder and President of Thorlabs, Inc., and Dr. Bruno Gross, a former consultant with McKinsey and Company, joined the Menlo team as of December 21, 2001. Mr. Cable will serve as a Board Member and brings extensive business-building expertise to the team. Mr. Gross will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer. TTrends in the Opto-Electronic component automation platform show movement toward leveled programs that give flexibility, scalability, and integration in Opto-Electronic components. The Opto-Electronic component market and long-term growth is expected to be greater than 30% per year. Ludwig Eichner, Senior Engineer at Thorlabs, said, "Our expertise in bringing products from concept to market in a rapid turn-around time is a crucial requirement in this field." Eichner went on to say that this rapid turn-around will reduce component assembly and bench tests, which remain the largest cost. Dr. Eichner added, "The push to drive R&D innovations into production and yet have a changing mechanism to diverge as the market changes are Thorlabs' strong points." About Thorlabs Inc.: Thorlabs, Inc. specializes in the building blocks for laser and fiber optic systems. From opto-mechanical components to telecom test instrumentation, Thorlabs' extensive manufacturing capabilities produce high-quality, well-priced components and devices for next-day delivery. Founded in 1989, the company remains a leader in the development and creation of advanced optical products for the commercial and research marketplaces. The company is headquartered in Newton, New Jersey, and has offices in Grünberg, Germany. To obtain more information, specifications, and images, visit www.thorlabs.com, or contact Thorlabs' Tech Support by phone at (973) 579-7227 or email at techsupport@thorlabs.com.