PARIS, Feb. 4 -- Alcatel Optronics announced that the Alcatel 1910 TWV optical combiner won an annual Photonics Circle of Excellence Award from Laurin Publishing, presented during Photonics West 2003 in San Jose, Calif. The compact 8-channel transparent optical combiner is based on hybrid planar technology. It integrates 41 discrete functions within a single optical Silica on Silicon platform demonstrating hybrid integration of multiple complex functions and providing substantial hardware cost reduction, Alcatel said. The Photonics Circle of Excellence Awards recognize the top 25 technically innovative products in photonics markets. Philippe Bregi, COO of Alcatel Optronics, said, "We are particularly proud and happy to see a hybrid solution recognized. It clearly highlights and strengthens our strategic choice to respond to system manufacturer requirements in terms of cost and integration with a newly developed class of optical components: the hybrids, integrating actives and passives on the same platform. The Alcatel 1910 TWV opens the way to the era of the photonics hybrid integration." For more information, visit: www.alcatel.com