Atlanta, GA October 7, 2010

Micron Optics, Inc., a leading provider of innovative equipment for fiber optic sensing and laser imaging, today announces its dynamic Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) optical sensing systems are certified for use in explosive environments according to the International Electrotechnical Commission's Certification to Standards relating to Equipment for use in Explosive Atmospheres (IECEX). Micron Optics now offers dynamic optical sensing instruments, modules, and sensors for continuous long-term use in the presence of explosive atmosphere. The DNV 10 ATEX 82688 certification was conferred by the professional testing and qualification firm of Det Norske Veritas AS.

With this international certification, global customers working with explosive environments can be assured that Micron Optics’ dynamic optical sensing systems meet the IEC's standards for intrinsically safe products. Intrinsically safe products receive their classification because both their power use and power storage properties are below the levels required to set off an explosion in a hazardous area.

Compared with electronic sensors, fiber optic strain and temperature sensors provide higher accuracy and range of measurement and an order of magnitude higher resistance to mechanical fatigue. These sensors are completely passive and immune to electromagnetic interference, lightning and corrosion. Dozens of FBG sensors can be included along a single fiber.

Micron Optics has accepted its first order for an application requiring the IECEX certification. The customer will be deploying Micron Optics optical sensing systems in LNG tankers. Petrochemical plants, waste water operations, the mining industry, nuclear facilities and aircraft fuel tanks are also ideal applications for optical monitoring systems. To date, thousands of Micron Optics’ sensing interrogators and optical sensors have been deployed in commercial applications.

"Now that our products have earned this certification, our customers can apply our optical sensing products almost anywhere in the world while meeting necessarily stringent safety regulations," said Tom Graver, vice president of the optical sensing business unit for Micron Optics.

Micron Optics IECEX certified products are available immediately. For more information, please contact us directly at info(at)micronoptics(dot)com.

About Micron Optics, Inc.
Micron Optics’ optical sensing and imaging products make impossible measurements possible, revealing new, critical information for Infrastructure, Energy, Transportation, Medical and Industrial sectors. Since 1990, Micron Optics has been expanding its core capabilities from tunable optical components and leading-edge instrumentation and software, to complete optical sensing systems. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Micron Optics is a privately held company. For more information, visit www.micronoptics.com.

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