His work on novel optical finishing processes centered on mechanisms of material removal for Magnetorheololgical Finishing (MRF). His group and an international group of collaborators invented MRF in the mid ‘90’s, and the technology was successfully spun off in the form of a local company, QED Technologies, Inc., in 1997. Dr. Jacobs’ work in the field of liquid crystals spans three decades. OMEGA is the only high peak power laser system in the world to use large aperture LC polarizers and wave plates. It contains 300 devices in apertures to 200 mm. His LC group conducted research on polymer cholesteric liquid crystal flakes for active e-o applications such as electronic paper. A new area of research is optical rotatory power in LCs for UV applications.
During his career, he served on a number of OSA committees including chair of the New Focus/Bookham Student Award Committee and chair of the Optical Fabrication and Testing Program Committee. In 1999, Dr. Jacobs and the Rochester OSA Local Section developed the Optics Suitcase--a terrific demonstration kit that includes experiments that teach about optics in a fun, hands-on atmosphere. Since its introduction, the Suitcase Program has benefited thousands of students around the world through lessons in polarization, diffraction, selective reflection and “theme packets," which contain the individual experiments for students to take home to share with their friends and family.
Dr. Jacobs was a Fellow, Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (2003), Member, Phi Beta Kappa (1970), and a Member, Tau Beta Pi (1970).