Business briefs
17 Jun 2002
Including news from Cree, GSI Lumonics, VISX, European Space Agency and Basler.
US-based
Cree has projected that its 405 nm, 3 mW laser diodes will soon have lifetimes exceeding 10 000 hours at room temperature. The company believes that, with further development, the diodes will meet the specifications for the next-generation
DVD format announced last week. Cree has also added two light-emitting diodes to its XBright range. Emitting in the green at 505 nm and 525 nm, the company says suitable applications for these devices include displays, advertising panels and traffic signals.
GSI Lumonics of Canada, a developer of laser-based manufacturing systems, has reported a net fourth quarter loss of USD 14.6 million, compared to a net income of USD 27.6 million for the same period last year. Newly booked orders during the quarter have slumped to USD 35 million, a 69% decrease from last year.
VISX, a manufacturer of laser vision correction systems, claims to have received the first
FDA approval for customized laser treatment based on decentered ablations. Using VISX's contoured ablation pattern, they say that physicians now have precise control of the treatment, making it possible to reshape the cornea for optimum correction.
Basler, the German supplier of vision technologies, has posted annual sales revenues of EURO 26.6 million (USD 23 million), down 34% from last year. Amongst several cost-cutting measures, Basler has created a vision systems division by combining its optical media, display, sealing and web inspection business units.
The
European Space Agency will allow
Rapid Eye of Germany to install a high-resolution Earth observation camera on the
International Space Station. The camera will produce frequently-updated maps of Europe, North America and Asia with resolution down to individual roads, dwellings and bridges.
