28 October 2014

Daylight and Thorlabs partner to develop QCLs for defense & security markets

Daylight Solutions Inc of San Diego, CA, USA - which makes molecular detection and imaging systems based on mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) for scientific research, life science, industrial process control and defense applications - and vertically integrated photonics product maker Thorlabs Inc of Newton, NJ, USA have formed a strategic partnership to advance the development of QCLs to meet the increasing demands of defense and security markets. Specifically, Daylight and Thorlabs will work together to enhance QCL performance, expand product and manufacturing capabilities, and capture new business opportunities in defense and security markets.

Announced separately, Thorlabs also recently acquired Corning Inc’s QCL business and associated optical semiconductor technologies research group, which produces QCLs for sensing, scientific and defense markets. The acquisition allows Daylight to transfer its six-year collaboration and partnership with Corning to Thorlabs, where the joint effort to define and execute on technology roadmaps, develop best-in-class QCL components, and test and qualify QCL sub-systems for commercial and military acquisition programs will continue.

Thorlabs Quantum Electronics (TQE) will integrate Corning Inc’s QCL business and associated optical semiconductor technologies research group into its 60,000ft2, vertically integrated manufacturing facility in Jessup, MD, USA. As part of the integration strategy, the existing QCL manufacturing equipment, facilities and staff at Corning will remain fully operational as full-rate production capacity is brought up at TQE. This strategy aims to ensure a significant period of overlapping production of QCL devices throughout the transition period.

“Consolidating Corning’s QCL technology into Thorlabs’ existing facility will significantly contribute to Thorlabs’ vision of providing a stable portfolio of readily available and low-cost QCL devices to the mid-IR market,” says Thorlabs’ president & founder Alex Cable. “We are excited about the opportunity to expand our ongoing relationship with Daylight Solutions by providing the QCL technology, products and US-based manufacturing capacity required to serve the US defense and security markets,” he adds. “Daylight has a long-standing relationship with Thorlabs as a trusted supplier,” notes Daylight’s CEO Dr Timothy Day.

Tags: Daylight Solutions

Visit: www.daylightsolutions.com

Visit: www.thorlabs.com