AMP, Emcore sign laser product deal

Electronic News, Dec 15, 1997

Harrisburg, Pa.--AMP and Emcore Corp. of Somerset, N.J. have signed an agreement to initiate a long-term strategic alliance to develop and produce Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) for the AMP line of fiber optic communication products. The alliance is expected by the two companies to accelerate the introduction of new products through joint developments of key VCSEL components, allowing them to decrease time-to-market of new generations of fiber optic products and enhance their position in fiber optic communications.

VCSELs, which emit light in a cylindrical beam vertically from their surface, are claimed to offer significant advantages compared with edge-emitting lasers which are heavily used today in fiber optic communications devices.

"We are very excited by this alliance," said Terry Unter, VP of Global Optoelectronics at AMP. "Working together will allow us to develop VCSELs that are optimized for targeted applications and are highly manufacturable. We look forward to building on an existing, strong product development relationship established with MicroOptical Devices, Inc. (MODE), Albuquerque, N.M., recently acquired by Emcore."

Dr. Unter added, "This relationship allowed AMP to implement MODE's Gigalase VCSEL devices to achieve Gigabit speeds in a complete line of recently announced fiber optic transceivers."

Emcore CEO Reuben Richards noted the importance of close working relationships between semiconductor laser device-designers and end-users of these devices. "In laser design, there are so many device parameters which affect performance of the products of our customers," Dr. Richards said. "Some of these are extremely difficult to identify at the device level. This alliance with AMP should enable us to 'get things right the first time for the rapidly growing applications of VCSELs in fiber optic communications. AMP is already deploying Emcore VCSELs in transceivers aimed at short wavelength Gigabit applications, and we are now working together on other projects."