Moves and Expansions

Diode-based laser modules and LED systems maker ProPhotonix Ltd. of Salem, N.H., will now distribute Germany-based Osram Opto Semiconductors’ green and blue laser diodes. The product range includes single-mode green laser diodes with 50-mW optical output in the 515- to 530-nm range and 30-mW output power at 510 to 530 nm, as well as a single-mode blue laser with 80-mW optical output at 440 to 460 nm. Applications for the green diodes include alignment and targeting for medical, industrial and defense markets, as well as in pico projector and display applications. The blue diode lasers are suitable for many medical and analytical applications. ProPhotonix offers diodes from other companies as well.

Kopin Corp. of Westborough, Mass., and Edmund Optics of Barrington, N.J., have partnered for the worldwide distribution of Kopin’s microdisplay modules, which are available through Edmund Optics’ 2013 catalog and website. The Ruby Module is a 600 x 800 SVGA that incorporates an LCD, backlight and control electronics in a fully integrated package. It is available in full-color and monochrome versions. “The Ruby Module is in keeping with our strategy of offering critical components and reference systems, enabling our customers to develop proprietary mobile products,” said Kopin CEO Dr. John C.C. Fan.

Artemis CCD Ltd. of Norwich, England, has signed an agreement with Photon Lines SAS of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, to distribute its complete range of cooled CCD cameras in France, Spain, Ireland and the UK. This is Artemis CCD’s first appointment of a distributor specializing in sales to science customers and a significant step in its business development plans, the company said. “This is a major step in expanding the reach of the Artemis CCD range to key European territories,” said Artemis CCD CEO Steve Chambers. “The ability to supply a large number of end users in addition to our traditional OEM business is a key aspect of our growth plans for 2013.”

Teem Photonics of Meylan, France, has appointed Market Tech of Scotts Valley, Calif., as its US distributor. Teem’s microlasers and photonic integrated circuits are used in industrial and biophotonics applications, such as fluorescence, spectroscopy, seeds for fiber lasers, and supercontinuum generation. Market Tech CEO Philip Crowley said Teem’s passively Q-switched, subnanosecond laser technology “will open up a number of new applications that are not possible with conventional diode-pumped solid-state laser technologies.” Market Tech distributes lasers and optoelectronic systems for industrial and research applications. A US subsidiary, Teem Photonics USA, is based in Massachusetts.

Materion Barr Precision Optics & Thin Film Coatings is constructing a multimillion-dollar work cell to enhance its ability to manufacture low-defect, wafer-level, IR coatings in high volume for the defense and consumer electronics markets. The cell will be a 3000-sq-ft Class 1000 cleanroom outfitted with IR coating chambers, a 3-D photolithography deposition tool, semiconductor wet-etch and alignment processing tools, semiautomated inspection tools, and customized high-volume coating deposition chambers to handle 200-mm wafers. Located at the company’s facility in Westford, Mass., the cell is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2013.

A patterned, low-defect antireflection coating on a 200-mm silicon wafer.

NeoPhotonics Corp. of San Jose, Calif., has opened a sales and R&D office in Moscow to serve the Russian Federation and broader Eastern European market. The company manufactures photonic integrated circuit-based optoelectronic modules and subsystems for telecommunications networks. “We are pleased to make this commitment to our customers and technology partners in the region and to build on the growing demand in the region for advanced telecommunications and enterprise data solutions,” said Tim Jenks, chairman and CEO of NeoPhotonics. Last year, the company announced it had completed a private placement investment with the Russian sovereign fund investor Rusnano.

CVI Laser Optics of Albuquerque, N.M., has expanded its European relationship with advanced technology distributor Acal BFi UK Ltd. of Wokingham, England. The agreement covers sales and support of CVI Laser Optics’ optical components and assemblies in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK. A unit of Idex Corp., the company manufactures laser optics solutions. CVI Melles Griot rebranded as two companies – CVI Laser Optics and Melles Griot – in February.

Quantum Materials Corp. is moving its tetrapod quantum dot laboratories to San Marcos, Texas, to take advantage of facilities at STAR (Science Technology and Academic Research) Park. STAR Park – located in the region known as “Silicon Hills” for its proximity to technology-related academic research, high-tech corporations and entrepreneurial startups – is a nonprofit incubator with roots from nearby Texas State University. Its facilities feature “state-of-the-art equipment and, especially, the opportunities for collaborative research that emphasizes commercialization,” said company President Stephen Squires. The company noted that it sees synergy with the university’s Advanced Functional Materials Laboratory’s interdisciplinary focus on nanoparticles and polymer nanocomposites.