JUNE 11, 2009 -- u2t Photonics AG 9search Lightave for u2t) says it has acquired the assets of a high-speed GaAs optical modulator business based in the United Kingdom for an undisclosed sum. The company did not reveal who sold them the assets.
GaAs modulator technology is potentially important in the cost-effective deployment of 40G and 100G fiber-optic communication systems.
Since GaAs can use 6-inch wafer processing capabilities the process control available can be much better than that employed for the smaller wafer sizes usually employed for optoelectronic components used in optical communications applications, u2t says. This will in turn enable higher levels of monolithic integration in GaAs, which is beneficial for creating components for the complex modulation schemes that 40G and 100G systems will need.
The company already provides components for 40G and 100G optical communication products. u2t expects the addition of the GaAs modulator business to strengthen its product offering, which includes 40 and 100G receiver and detector products.
With this acquisition u²t gains access to GaAs based optical components and adds another platform to its technology portfolio. u²t says its will continue its partnership with Heinrich-Hertz- Institut in Berlin on components based on InP technology, enabling the exploitation of whichever material system is best suited for each application.
"We are very excited about the acquisition of the GaAs optical modulator business since we see very strong synergies with our existing 40 and 100G receiver products" said Andreas Umbach, the chief executive officer of u2t. "It will allow us to enhance our offering by delivering high-performance yet cost-effective transmitter functionality. I was encouraged by the experience and capabilities of the team and their enthusiastic reaction to the acquisition."
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