University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering

Carl J. Johnson

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To Carl J. Johnson for contributions to the growth of low-defect density II-VI compound semiconductor materials employed in the manufacture of high-quality optical, electrooptical, and radiation detection devices for applications using infrared, visible, and x-ray/gamma-ray wavelengths.

Chief Executive Officer, II-VI Incorporated, Saxonburg, Pennsylvania

  • BS, 1964, Electrical Engineering, Purdue University
  • MS, 1965, Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • PhD, 1969, Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

 Throughout his career, Carl Johnson has simultaneously been an accomplished scientist, asuccessful entrepreneur, and an inspired corporate leader. He has made many fundamental contributions to the growth of low-defect II–VI compound semiconductor materials andpublished his results in scientific journals. In 1971, Johnson cofounded II–VI Incorporated and served as its president until 1985, when he became its chairman and chief executive officer. In 1987, he led the process of taking the company public. His technical activities have focused on CdTe, CdZnTe, ZnSe, and ZnS growth processes; on precision fabrication techniques; and on bulk and surface defects as they impact optical, electrooptical, and x-ray/gamma-ray detector applications.

II–VI Incorporated is a world leader in infrared technology. The company employs more than 1,100 people, 30 percent of whom are scientists, engineers, and technicians. Its manufacturing facilities are located in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania; Port Richey and New Port Richey, Florida; Temecula, California; Tijuana, Mexico; Ghent, Belgium; Singapore; and Suzhou, China. The company is a fully integrated manufacturer of laser optic and gain materials, optical and electrooptical components, and radiation detection devices.

Johnson is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, American Optical Society, American Association for Crystal Growth, and the Materials Research Society. He has served state and national governments as an economic development and export policy advisor. In 1988, Johnson received the Electrical and Computer Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award. He currently serves on the board of directors of two technology-based start-up companies.

Current as of 2002.