Business briefs

06 Sep 2002

Including news from Nichia, Toyoda Gosei, Honeywell, GWU-Lasertechnik, Agility Communications and more.

•  Toyoda Gosei and Nichia expect to settle their differences over patent rights concerning nitride semiconductor technology in court on September 17. The Japanese makers of LEDs and other optoelectronic goods started negotiations on August 9.

•  US-based Richardson Electronics has signed an agreement with Honeywell's VCSEL division to distribute Honeywell's laser products. Richardson will have distribution rights in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

•  Lightscape Networks of Israel is to introduce a widely tunable laser from Agility Communications into its optical networking offerings. Agility president Ron Nelson said: "This technology integration from a top-tier company such as Lightscape, is believed to be an industry first for metropolitan-based converged networking platforms."

•  GWU-Lasertechnik, a maker of OPOs, has partnered with fellow German firm Lumera Laser to distribute the latter's ultrafast laser systems. GWU will focus on scientific applications while Lumera will continue to develop its laser systems as well as provide sales and support for its industrial and OEM customers.

•  Kyocera of Japan claims to have manufactured the first surface-mount ceramic package for high-brightness LEDs. The company, which is now taking orders for the product, says the package offers high heat dissipation and meets the increasing demand for smaller LEDs.

•  Trikon Technologies, a UK-based maker of semiconductor processing tools, plans to reduce its workforce by around 20%. The company, which currently employs around 400 employees worldwide, hopes to achieve cost savings of around USD 1 million per quarter. Job cuts will be made in the fourth quarter of this year.