For Mark Ivker, a long-standing fascination with light, optics, and the physics of matter has shaped much of his professional path. Today, as Manager, Systems Design Engineering at Ophir, Mark leads physics R&D for beam profiling, helping advance technologies used in laser beam characterization.
Mark’s connection to optics began in academia, where his research used lasers to explore solid-state phenomena. That experience sparked a deep interest in the interaction between light and matter, an interest that eventually brought him to Ophir.
“At the time, a friend who also knew Ephraim Greenfield highly recommended the opportunity to work with him,” Mark recalls. “Learning from Ephraim was one of the best parts of the job in my early years at Ophir.”
Growing with Ophir
Mark began his Ophir journey working with Ephraim Greenfield in R&D for power meters. Later, he moved into R&D for beam profiling, where he worked under the supportive mentorship of Yaakov Pechman.
Over time, his role continued to grow, and Mark now manages the physics R&D team focused on beam profiling.
His current work includes one of the team’s most exciting areas of development: expanding BeamWatch capabilities in entirely new directions.
A Lasting Curiosity About Light
Mark’s work reflects both technical expertise and a broader sense of curiosity. His interest in laser beam characterization is not just about product development — it also connects to foundational questions in physics and the ongoing challenge of understanding and measuring light with greater precision.
Looking ahead, Mark is focused on continuing to grow as a manager of people, projects, and technical innovation. He also plans to become more involved in technical industry forums, expanding his interaction with peers outside of Ophir.
Life Beyond Work
Outside the office, Mark keeps his curiosity and energy active in many ways. Last year, after a 30-year hiatus, he returned to folk dancing, and with many dances still to learn, he expects it will keep him busy for years to come.
He also enjoys hiking, often in the Judean Hills around Jerusalem, reading both fiction and non-fiction, and thinking about foundational questions in physics. On Saturday afternoons, he can often be found playing strategy board games with his kids.
Whether he is hiking, dancing, reading, exploring physics, or helping develop new beam profiling capabilities, Mark brings the same qualities to each pursuit: curiosity, patience, and a drive to keep learning.
