Reaching Great Heights
Olsen’s been dreaming big ever since his days at FDU, where he earned a BS in physics, a BS in electrical engineering and an MS in physics. He received his PhD in materials science from the University of Virginia and then spent 18 months as visiting scientist at the University of Port Elizabeth in South Africa.
In 1972, while working at RCA Laboratories in Princeton, N.J. (now Sarnoff Corporation), Olsen developed new technologies in fiber optics, including long-wavelength lasers and light detectors that use indium gallium arsenide crystals. His fundamental studies on crystal defects brought about marked improvements in this highly technical industry and led to the commercial introduction of devices for fiber-optic transmissions and infrared wavelengths that can detect things that are invisible to the human eye.
Olsen worked for 11 years at RCA as a research scientist and received RCA Laboratories Outstanding Achievement Awards in 1978 and 1980.
He founded EPITAXX, Inc., in 1984 in Princeton. The high-tech Silicon-Valley-style company became very successful producing fiber-optic components on a global scale. It was acquired by Nippon Sheet Glass in 1990.
Named the Arthur Young/Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year in 1989, Olsen received the “New Jersey Small Businessperson of the Year” award at the White House in 1990 and was elected “Inventor of the Year” by the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1991.
That same year, Olsen founded Sensors Unlimited. Under his direction, the company grew into a world-class fiber-optic component design, fabrication and supply operation. The company develops and manufactures optoelectronic devices for fiber-optic communications systems, photonic and near-infrared imaging devices. The cutting-edge camera technology provides high performance products used for a variety of critical military, national security, telecommunications and industrial applications. They include covert surveillance, night vision, health and safety protocols and the inspection of historic art works.
After selling Sensors Unlimited for $600 million in 2000 to Finisar Corp., Olsen orchestrated a management buyback of the company two years later for $6 million. In 2005, after leading the company’s resurgence, Olsen, the chairman of the board, agreed to sell the company again, this time to Goodrich, the defense and aerospace company, for $60 million.
Olsen holds 12 U.S. patents and has delivered numerous lectures, written more than 100 papers and co-authored several books on crystal growth and semiconductor devices.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and has received the prestigious IEEE Laser and Electro-Optics Society (LEOS) “Aron Kressel” award for his visionary work. He has taken a leadership role in many technical societies, such as the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE), the Electrochemical Society, IEEE Electro, IEEE and LEOS, as well as the New Jersey Crystal Growth Association. In 1992, Olsen was selected as an IEEE LEOS “Distinguished Lecturer” and gave a series of presentations titled “How to Start an Optoelectronics Business.” In 1994, he was elected to the IEEE LEOS Board of Governors.
Olsen also serves on advisory committees to Princeton University and the University of Virginia. Last year, he was named to the Fairleigh Dickinson University Board of Trustees. He also is a member of the University’s Global Advisory Board. more …
Opening Page | A Stellar Journey
Preparing to Fly | Fueled by FDU
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