SI Diamond Team wins U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command contract to coat optical fibers with diamond-like carbon coatings; Project to implement Army CECOM concept for extending fiber optic life

Business Wire, May 31, 1995

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 1995--SI Diamond Technology, Inc., (NASDAQ:SIDT) through its Plasmatron Coating Systems Inc. subsidiary, has been awarded a two-year $600,000 contract by the United States Army to implement an in-line process of applying scratch resistant diamond-like coatings (DLC) to optical fibers. SIDT will collaborate with personnel from the Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) at Ft. Monmouth, N.J., Bellcore, the David Sarnoff Research Center, and CeramOptics.

The application of DLC dramatically enhances the performance of fiber by providing a highly durable, abrasion resistant, hermetic seal. This results in superior optical and mechanical properties and temperature stability, important features for both military and commercial applications of optical fibers. The procedure allows the fibers to be coated as they are produced, with minimum incremental cost to the overall production process.

Sam DiVita, the glass scientist in the Fiber Optics Branch of CECOM's Space and Terrestrial Communications Directorate, anticipates that this program will resolve key military-use problems. "Fiber optics are becoming the basic building block of the world's communication system. This process was selected for its ease of installation and reliability, which are key issues in the use of the fibers in the extensive communication systems."

Currently, fibers are coated with conventional plastics, which are known to absorb moisture, potentially weakening the fiber -- particularly when stressed under adverse climatic conditions (water, humidity, chemicals). When this occurs over a period of time, outside elements attack the surface of optical glass fibers, diminishing the performance of optical light transmissions and resulting in a loss of fiber strength and flexibility. Today's hermetically coated fibers can address these problems, but they do not offer the abrasion resistant qualities inherent in diamond-like carbon coatings. Therefore, they still require a plastic or polymer coating to prevent abrasion, resulting in greater bulk and weight. It is anticipated that the technology being developed by this project could eliminate the use of plastic or polymer coated fibers.

The contract, funded through the Small Business Innovation Program of the U.S. Department of Defense, calls for SIDT to build equipment to be used with a fiber optic draw tower operated by CeramOptics to coat fibers used by the Army. The David Sarnoff Research Center will assist with the scale-up of the coating process for high volume coating. Following production, scientists working with fiber optic manufacturers, including those from Bellcore, will test the DLC-coatings for potential commercial development.

"SIDT has been fortunate to be involved in the early stages of this coating technology -- developing the coating material and now producing equipment for effectively applying the material," says Howard K. Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of SIDT. "This is an excellent example of moving advanced research into vital military and commercial applications, and the projected market for these enriched optics is substantial."

SI Diamond Technology, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is engaged in the commercialization of manufactured diamond film technology for flat panel displays and industrial coatings applications. SIDT owns Diamond Tech One (Austin, TX), a subsidiary providing advanced electronic packaging and assembly services and Plasmatron Coating Systems, Inc. (Moorestown, NJ), a highly regarded maker of sophisticated coating equipment and systems. SI Diamond Technology, Inc., is traded on the NASDAQ with the symbol SIDT.

CONTACT: SI Diamond Technology, Inc.

Marijane Ensminger, 713/529-9040

or

GTT Communications, Inc.

Bill Stotesbery, 512/219-6339