What does LORC mean in AIR FORCE

The Laser and Optics Research Center (LORC) is a research center based at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). It serves as a nexus of excellence in laser and optics research and development in support of advanced applications for military and civilian use.

The LORC focuses on applied research, interdisciplinary collaboration and professional education related to lasers and optical systems, with strong ties to USAFA's mission to develop officers of character. This includes assessing new technologies, developing models to improve system performance, studying materials and components needed to maintain reliable laser systems, exploring fabrication techniques, creating designs for complex optical systems, providing assessments of aircraft operations impacts due to laser dazzle hazards, testing prototype systems, performing missions studies related to system usage in tactical situation scenarios.

The primary benefit for the LORC from its partners is access to expertise that can enhance or accelerate ongoing research efforts. Partnerships also allow additional resources to be used if needed such as specialized equipment not available within USAFA boundaries or staff training opportunities which may improve skillsets related to specific projects. Finally, partnerships can provide valuable exposure that may lead to other external opportunities such as internships or job offers both within the Air Force or entities outside of the USAFA network.

The people at the Laser & Optics Research Center come from many different backgrounds including faculty members, postdoctoral researchers/engineers, graduate students working towards master's degrees in engineering disciplines as well as undergraduates studying physics or engineering sciences associated with optics/lasers. Additionally, some personnel are contracted from industry partners who bring additional experience contributing their knowledge on specific topics related to ongoing projects

The Laser & Optics Research Center has achieved significant advancements during its 35 year history; some examples include advancing knowledge in areas such as high-speed imaging/sensing systems design theory/implementation methods; ultrafast laser pulse amplification; space-based surveyor lidar sensor designs using technology developed at USAF Academy; biomedical fluorescence spectroscopy instrumentation yielding insight into tissue cancer diagnosis ; aerospace applications used for Environmental Monitoring Systems aboard space launch vehicles; computer algorithms allowing simulation of laser beam propagation through turbulent atmosphere. These advancements have had a significant beneficial impact both nationally in terms of defense initiatives but also more broadly through numerous civilian applications such as medical analysis tools that have been licensed by innovative spinoff companies created by faculty members associated with this lab.