Coherent Acquires Crystal Associates

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 28 -- Coherent Inc., a supplier of laser-based solutions for various markets, has acquired an East Hanover, N.J.-based manufacturer of exotic crystals for an undisclosed amount of cash. Crystal Associates Inc., which manufactures crystals for various photonics applications, will become part of Coherent's Photonics Group.
Crystal Associates is a key addition to the Coherent organization since crystals are enabling media for current and future generations of photonic devices, especially lasers, and is consistent with Coherent's practice of investing in core technologies to strengthen its market position, said Bernard Couillaud, CEO and president of Coherent.
There is short- and long-term impact from our acquisition of CAI, said John Ambroseo, president of Coherent's Photonics Group. The acquisition enables Coherent to accelerate deliveries into several key sectors including FreD lasers for fiber Bragg manufacturing and Avia lasers for the advanced packaging and interconnect markets. Having an internal source of these nonlinear materials should permit Coherent to more effectively manage the supply of these key laser components.