BluGlass launches direct-to-market GaN laser business unit to capture downstream manufacturing value

BluGlass Ltd of Silverwater, Australia – which was spun off from the III-nitride department of Macquarie University in 2005 – has launched a new direct-to-market business unit to leverage its unique remote-plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) technology in the high-value, high-margin gallium nitride (GaN) laser diode market. High-brightness GaN laser diodes are used in applications including industrial lasers (cutting and welding), automotive and general lighting, displays, and life sciences.

Compared with the industry’s incumbent technology, BluGlass says that its patented RPCVD platform and unique tunnel-junction capabilities offers laser diode manufacturers performance and cost advantages including: higher-performing devices and reduced optical loss; productivity and cost improvements; and unique laser diode design.

BluGlass’ is developing GaN laser diode prototypes and expects to deliver its first laser diode product in 2020. The new products are expected to deliver a clear path to significant revenues from 2021.

The new business unit will be headed by VP of business development Brad Siskavich out of BluGlass’ US office. Siskavich has over 20 years of experience in laser diode business management. “This new business stream fits well with our strategy of commercializing the competitive advantages of the RPCVD technology to maximise returns,” he says. “This highly customizable, end-to-end approach will enable BluGlass to generate revenue in this high-value market and build our leadership in the manufacture of novel GaN laser diodes.”

The total market for laser applications is forecasted to reach US$27bn by 2025. The GaN laser diode segment is an emerging market opportunity, expected to grow to a US$658m serviceable addressable market for BluGlass by 2025. GaN lasers require a higher-performance, lower-cost technology solution to help address significant unmet needs in the industry, says BluGlass. The firm will hence initially focus on industrial laser diodes for welding and cutting applications, targeting an initial market share of 6-10% (US$40-65m) of this SAM by 2025.
“BluGlass is entering the laser diode market as a result of our success in demonstrating tunnel junctions as a building block for high-performance cascade LEDs,” says managing director Giles Bourne. “Our RPCVD tunnel-junction technology has unique, compelling advantages to drive performance and cost improvements for the GaN laser diode market,” he believes. “LEDs and laser diodes are, in their physics and material growth, very similar, which allows us to accelerate our entry into this new market space without diluting our activities on other RPCVD applications.’’

BluGlass notes that, with the opening of its Paul Dunnigan Laboratories in August, it now has the pre-installed RPCVD capacity onsite in Silverwater to accrue significant laser diode revenues and build a profitable business unit.

See related items:

BluGlass-Bridgelux JDA to evaluate RPCVD and tunnel junction technologies for cascade LEDs in general lighting market

BluGlass opens new manufacturing and demo labs

BluGlass highlights R&D on RPCVD of tunnel junctions at lower temperatures than MOCVD

BluGlass presents latest data on development of RPCVD-grown tunnel junctions for LEDs

BluGlass demonstrates functioning tunnel junctions, enabling cascaded LEDs

Tags: BluGlass RPCVD

Visit: www.bluglass.com.au