
The researchers and engineers at Optical Innovations, with over 120 years of collective experience, specializes in the design and development of cutting edge Free-space and Fiberoptic Lasers, Optical Imaging and Remote Sensing Technologies, and Signal Processing Software
What We Build
High-Power Lidar Transceivers
Ultra-Stable Diffraction Limited Telescopes
Thermal Compensating Optical Mounts
Variable Frequency Optical Pulse Generators
Two Axis Continuous Rotation Full Hemispherical Scanners
Full Spectrum Damping Vibration Isolators
Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
Extreme Weather Environmental Enclosures
Carbon Fiber Optical Structures
Services We Provide
Optical System Design
Data Analysis & Graphical Interface Software
Optical Mount Design
Windimager...The Sum of All Parts



The Windimager Lidar System is capable of detecting and tracking potentially deadly atmospheric phenomena otherwise invisible to all other meteorological instruments. Windimager, or "Windy" as we affectionately call her, can map wind sheer, microbursts, and violent gust fronts out to 20km with a range resolution of 100m and an air speed accuracy of +/- 25cm per second. Windy can also detect and plot airborne contaminants such as ash, dust, smoke, and chemical gas emissions and is compact enough to be mounted in a pickup and hauled to remote locations. Our compact, robust, and proven remote sensing technology is specifically designed to meet the needs of weather forecasting and environmental monitoring.
Who We Are
Russ Sibell
Russ has a background in developing Laser Sensors, Optical Design and Lidar Systems. He has worked as the Optical Engineer on Airborne Laser Program for the US Air Force
BS in Physics from North Dakota State University
Steve Vetorino - CEO
Steve began his career with Spectra Physics installing and repairing Pulsed and Mode-locked YAG Lasers, Harmonic Generators, Dye Lasers, and Fiber Pulse Compressors in government, corporate, and university research facilities across the country and abroad.
While at Coherent Technologies he worked on a variety of multi-spectral Lasers and Lidar systems. Of note, he led the laboratory development and design of a battery powered “Laser Gun” that could transmit infrared pulses through synthetic battlefield smoke. The field tests verified that the technology could be used for battlefield line-of-sight (covert) communication and for military training simulations.
As a managing owner at Sibelloptics, Steve headed up laboratory experimentation and design of pulsed Erbium Fiber Lasers and Lidar Transmitters. He also served as the systems engineer on the Windimager program and was responsible for making optical, electrical and software sub-systems work together to form a reliable and versatile meteorological wind data instrument. Sibelloptics first system was successfully installed at a wind energy facility on the island of Aruba in 2015.
Expanding on the technology and products developed at Sibelloptics; Steve is now leading the development of the next generation long-range, high-power fiber Lidar system. His duties include all phases of design, part procurement, technical documentation, assembly, and testing. The new “Windy Cyclone” system can map winds out to 18km while scanning at 2 degrees per second.
BS in Physics from Colorado State University
Allen Tracy
Allen has developed optical imaging software and has extensive experience with a wide range Lidar technologies. Allen served as the Lead Design Engineer on the Guide Star Program.
BS Degree in Electrical Engineering from Brigham Young University
MS Degree in Optical Engineering from Utah State University
Contact Us
To learn more how Optical Innovations can help meet the needs of your company, please email us at svetorino@opticalinnovations.co or call
970-635-3145