Ophir Optronics
An Israeli photonics company supplying infrared optics, laser measurement instruments and beam-analysis systems.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Ophir Optronics is an Israeli photonics and optoelectronics company that develops, manufactures and sells infrared optical systems, laser measurement instruments and related analytical technologies. Established in Jerusalem in 1976, the company initially concentrated on precision infrared optics and instrumentation for industrial and defense uses. Its portfolio later expanded into infrared imaging lenses, laser power and energy meters, beam profilers, spectral measurement instruments, optical components and software for the visualization, logging and automation of laser data. The company operates through two closely related technology areas. Its photonics measurement business serves industrial laser processing, scientific research, telecommunications, medical equipment and other applications requiring quantitative measurement of laser output. Products measure power, energy, beam shape, beam size, divergence and spatial energy distribution across a broad range of wavelengths and source types. The portfolio includes instruments for continuous-wave and pulsed lasers, sensors covering very low power through high-power industrial sources, and software platforms such as BeamGage and StarLab. Ophir states that its instruments are calibrated against international standards, including standards associated with the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Its infrared optics business designs and manufactures lenses and optical elements for surveillance, observation, security, defense, aviation and commercial imaging. The company produces systems for short-wave infrared, mid-wave infrared and long-wave infrared bands, including fixed-field-of-view and continuous-zoom lenses. These products are used with thermal and short-wave infrared imaging detectors in applications such as unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, coastal surveillance, airborne observation and security systems. Ophir also makes optical components for high-power carbon-dioxide and fiber-laser systems used in cutting, welding and marking equipment. Manufacturing capabilities include automated computer-controlled machining and diamond-turning processes, together with in-house optical and mechanical design. Ophir became a public company on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 1991 and was included in the exchange's Tel-Tech index. Its international expansion accelerated through acquisitions and new operating entities. In 2006 it acquired Spiricon, a United States beam-profiling specialist, strengthening its laser diagnostic business. In 2007 it established Ophir Optics Europe GmbH in Switzerland to market lenses and components for surveillance and imaging applications in Europe. In 2010 it acquired Photon Inc., another U.S. company active in beam profiling. Reported sales rose from $45 million in 2005 to $74 million in 2007, although those figures are historical and reflect the relevant reporting periods rather than current performance. Newport Corporation completed its acquisition of Ophir in October 2011, ending Ophir's independent stock-market status and incorporating the company into Newport's photonics activities. MKS Instruments acquired Newport in 2016 in a transaction valued at $980 million, bringing Ophir into MKS's Photonics Solutions Division. Ophir continues to operate as a technology and product organization within that broader group, with manufacturing, research, development, service and sales activities distributed across Israel, the United States, Europe and Asia. The brand's recent development has emphasized compact long-range infrared optics, low-size-weight-and-power designs for unmanned and mobile platforms, and expanded regional service and assembly capabilities.
History
Ophir Optronics was founded in Jerusalem in 1976 as a developer and manufacturer of precision infrared optics and laser-measurement equipment. Its early work addressed industrial and defense requirements, combining optical-component production with instruments capable of quantifying laser behavior. The company later broadened its customer base to include scientific, medical, telecommunications, security and commercial imaging applications. Ophir became publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 1991 and was included in the exchange's Tel-Tech index. Its principal base was established at Jerusalem's Har Hotzvim industrial park, where the company maintained a substantial production complex. International operations subsequently included manufacturing in the United States and sales activity in North America, Japan and Europe. Ophir's growth was supported both by organic product development and by acquisitions in laser diagnostics. The 2006 purchase of Spiricon Group added a U.S. beam-profiling specialist, while the creation of a Swiss-based European subsidiary in 2007 strengthened the marketing of infrared lenses and components for surveillance and imaging. In 2010, Ophir acquired Photon Inc., another U.S. beam-profiling company. Historical reports stated that sales increased from $45 million in 2005 to $74 million in 2007. The company also received outside investment during its independent period. In July 2008, the FIMI investment fund invested $23.5 million in Ophir in exchange for five million shares and 1.75 million warrants, with the warrants exercisable over a five-year period at $5.75 per share. Ophir was acquired by Newport Corporation in 2011, and the transaction ended its separate stock-market existence. Newport integrated Ophir's laser measurement and infrared optics activities into its wider photonics offering. In 2016, MKS Instruments acquired Newport for $980 million. Ophir consequently became part of MKS's Photonics Solutions Division. Under the MKS structure, the Ophir brand continued to cover laser measurement products and infrared optics rather than operating as an independent listed company. The organization has maintained manufacturing and research capabilities in Israel, the United States, Romania and India, while serving international customers through regional sales and service operations. Ophir's product development has increasingly focused on specialized optical systems for thermal imaging and compact sensing platforms. The LightIR infrared lens family, introduced in 2017, targeted drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and handheld devices. A 15–75 mm LightIR lens was presented at Eurosatory in 2018 for uncooled long-wave infrared detectors. In 2019, the company extended its cooled mid-wave infrared long-range lens family with 900 mm and 1,350 mm focal lengths. In 2020, its SupIR 50–1350 mm f/5.5 lens was selected as a finalist for a SPIE PRISM Award in the Safety and Security category. The laser measurement business has continued to cover power, energy, beam profile, beam position, beam size, divergence and spectral characteristics. Its instruments and software are used to visualize and record measurements, automate testing and integrate laser diagnostics into production or research systems. The infrared optics business produces short-wave, mid-wave and long-wave infrared systems, including fixed and zoom lenses, and also manufactures optical elements for industrial CO2 and fiber lasers used in cutting, welding and marking. Recent development has emphasized low-size-weight-and-power designs and long-range imaging. In 2023, Ophir introduced a 25–250 mm continuous-zoom SWIR/NIR lens covering 700–1700 nm for small-pixel detectors and applications including drones and coastal surveillance. In 2024, it opened a Delhi service and assembly hub and expanded its Romanian manufacturing presence. By 2025, the company was developing MWIR zoom lenses using folded optics to achieve long-range performance in compact packages. Ophir therefore remains an active specialist brand within MKS, combining metrology and optical-system manufacturing for industrial, scientific, defense, security and commercial markets.
- 2025
Folded-optics MWIR zoom lenses launched
[1]Ophir introduces compact folded-optics designs for long-range mid-wave infrared imaging.
- 2024
Delhi service and assembly hub opens
[1]The new Indian facility supports regional customers and project requirements.
- 2023
25–250 mm SWIR/NIR zoom lens introduced
[1]The low-SWaP lens covers the 700–1700 nm range and targets compact SWIR imaging systems.
- 2017
LightIR family introduced
[1]Ophir launches infrared thermal-imaging zoom lenses for unmanned and handheld platforms.
- 2016
Ophir becomes part of MKS Instruments
[1]MKS acquires Newport and incorporates Ophir into its Photonics Solutions Division.
- 2011
Acquisition by Newport Corporation
[1]Newport completes its acquisition of Ophir, ending the company's independent listed status.
- 2010
Photon Inc. acquisition
[1]Ophir acquires another U.S. beam-profiling specialist.
- 2006
Spiricon Group acquisition
[1]The acquisition expands Ophir's beam-profiling and laser-diagnostic capabilities.
- 1991
Public trading begins in Tel Aviv
[1]Ophir becomes publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and later forms part of the Tel-Tech index.
- 1976
Ophir is founded in Jerusalem
[1]The company begins operations as a developer and manufacturer of precision infrared optics and laser-measurement instrumentation.
Products and positioning
Professional-grade, standards-calibrated photonics measurement and infrared optics for industrial, scientific, defense, security and commercial imaging applications.
Laser measurement
Laser power and energy meters
Ophir's meters measure the output of continuous-wave and pulsed laser sources across a wide range of power and energy levels. They are used in industrial processing, research, medical, telecommunications and manufacturing environments, with sensor options intended for measurements ranging from very low power to high-power industrial lasers and from picojoules to kilojoules.
Laser measurement
Beam profilers and diagnostic systems
Beam-profiling products characterize laser shape, dimensions, divergence, position and spatial energy distribution. Systems use sensor technologies including CMOS and InGaAs to support wavelengths extending from ultraviolet through far-infrared regions, and may provide BeamSquared M2 analysis for evaluating beam quality.
Measurement software
BeamGage and StarLab
These software platforms support visualization, data logging, analysis, automation and system integration for Ophir measurement hardware. They are intended to help users monitor laser behavior, document test results and connect measurements with laboratory or production workflows.
Infrared imaging optics · 2017
LightIR
LightIR is a family of infrared thermal-imaging zoom lenses designed for platforms including unmanned aerial vehicles, drones and handheld devices. The range includes optics for long-wave infrared imaging and is intended to combine thermal performance with the size and integration requirements of mobile or airborne systems.
MWIR imaging optics
SupIR
SupIR is Ophir's family of cooled mid-wave infrared long-range lenses. The range includes extended focal-length designs for aviation, observation and security imaging. The SupIR 50–1350 mm f/5.5 lens was recognized as a finalist in the 2020 SPIE PRISM Awards.
SWIR/NIR imaging optics · 2023
25–250 mm SWIR/NIR continuous-zoom lens
Introduced in 2023, this continuous-zoom lens covers 700–1700 nm with a 10× zoom range. Its low-size-weight-and-power design is intended for small-pixel short-wave infrared detectors and applications such as drones, coastal surveillance and defense imaging.
Laser components
Industrial laser optics
Ophir manufactures optical components for CO2 and approximately 1 micrometre fiber-laser systems used in industrial cutting, welding and marking. The company also provides optical and mechanical design and in-house manufacturing capabilities for assemblies used in high-power laser equipment.
Brand decisions
2023
Launch a low-SWaP SWIR/NIR zoom lensProduct launchBackground
Compact platforms such as drones require optical systems that cover useful spectral ranges without imposing excessive size, weight or power demands.
Action taken
Ophir introduced a 25–250 mm continuous-zoom lens covering 700–1700 nm.
Aftermath
The product extended Ophir's portfolio into compact short-wave and near-infrared imaging applications.
2017
Launch the LightIR infrared lens familyProduct launchBackground
Demand for compact thermal-imaging systems was growing in unmanned, airborne and handheld applications.
Action taken
Ophir introduced LightIR infrared thermal-imaging zoom lenses for drones, UAVs and handheld devices.
Aftermath
The range expanded Ophir's presence in mobile and unmanned infrared imaging.
2016
Join MKS Instruments through the Newport acquisitionM&ABackground
MKS Instruments pursued Newport to expand its position in advanced instruments and photonics.
Action taken
MKS acquired Newport, including the Ophir brand and operations, for $980 million.
Aftermath
Ophir was integrated into MKS's Photonics Solutions Division while continuing to develop laser measurement and infrared optics.
Acquisition value. $980 million transaction (2016)
2011
Sell the company to Newport CorporationM&ABackground
Ophir had developed a broad portfolio in laser measurement and infrared optics and was publicly traded in Israel.
Action taken
Newport Corporation completed the acquisition of Ophir.
Aftermath
Ophir ceased to operate as an independent listed company and became part of Newport's photonics activities.
2010
Acquire Photon Inc.M&ABackground
Photon Inc. was another U.S. participant in the beam-profiling market.
Action taken
Ophir acquired Photon Inc. to add further beam-analysis capabilities.
Aftermath
The acquisition reinforced Ophir's position in laser beam measurement before its later sale to Newport.
2006
Acquire Spiricon GroupM&ABackground
Ophir sought to expand its laser diagnostics business and strengthen its presence in beam profiling.
Action taken
The company acquired U.S.-based Spiricon Group and incorporated its beam-profiling capabilities into the Ophir portfolio.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened Ophir's laser measurement offering and supported international growth.
Sources3 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/ophir-optronics · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled