Novalux expands manufacturing capacity

17 Jun 2002

Novalux of Sunnyvale, California, in the US, has leased an additional 100,000 square foot facility to manufacture its extended-cavity surface-emitting laser (NECSEL) for long-haul, metro and local-area communications systems.

Plans include wafer-processing areas, a package and assembly area, R&D laboratories and office space. Manufacturing operations will start in the second quarter of next year.

Gary Oppedahl, vice-president of operations, said: "The approach of the assembly and packaging process is modular. Vendors can adopt existing equipment or create entirely new platforms to handle the demands of optoelectronic assembly, packaging and testing."

Novalux chief executive officer Malcolm Thompson added: "The 'siliconizing' of gallium arsenide will allow significant decreases in cost and increases in efficiency. In addition to our innovative laser, our automated manufacturing practices will help fuel the continued development of fiber-optic components and ultimately, the entire optical network.