News: Optoelectronics
6 May 2024
BluGlass highlights progress in March quarter
For the three months ended 31 March (fiscal Q3/2024), BluGlass Ltd of Silverwater, Australia — which develops and manufactures gallium nitride (GaN) blue laser diodes based on its proprietary low-temperature, low-hydrogen remote-plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) technology — has given an update, including the following highlights.
MoU with Applied Energetics
BluGlass and US-based advanced defence and dual-use photonics company Applied Energetics Inc are collaborating under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the development of advanced laser systems for next-generation military and commercial applications. Applied Energetics has complementary laser technology, specializing in ultrashort pulse (USP) optical systems spanning ultraviolet to infrared wavelengths for the US Department of Defense, defence primes, and intelligence community.
The collaboration will leverage BluGlass’ full suite of gallium nitride (GaN) products, including its distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, for use within Applied Energetics’ advanced dual-use laser systems.
“This collaboration combines our highly complementary laser technologies and capabilities to address innovative new market segments where neither company can compete individually,” says CEO Jim Haden. “Laser technology is increasingly playing a larger role within modern military and national security strategies, where application size, weight and power are critical. Brighter, better-performing visible lasers have the potential to significantly reduce these key parameters in next-generation solutions while also unlocking a new era of exploratory technologies,” he adds. “While this collaboration is in its infancy, our work with Applied Energetics has numerous commercial and technical benefits, further strengthening our presence within the US government and intelligence communities, and advancing our next-generation product roadmap.”
CLAWS Hub development progress
BluGlass says that it delivered all quarterly milestones under its Microelectronics Commons‘ Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (CLAWS) Hub contract, and is on track or ahead of schedule on all metrics. The firm has made substantial progress against many of next quarter’s deliverables spanning operational, single-mode, and DFB milestones. BluGlass has met yearly single-mode electro-optical performance metrics across core 405nm, 420nm and 450nm wavelengths, and continues to work on refinements.
As part of its development activity with the CLAWS Hub, BluGlass has also improved the performance of its 450nm blue GaN DFB lasers. Together with development partner the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), BluGlass has improved the side-mode suppression ratio of its DFB lasers by 100% since Photonics West 2023 at the end of January 2023, exhibited power output over 100mW from a single diode, and operated at single-frequency over a wide range of current densities. The firm has also reduced operating voltages by 27% over the same period – a key factor in device reliability, thermal management, and wavelength stability.
Visible GaN DFB lasers comprise compact, single-frequency laser light sources that are said to meet the unique requirements of next-generation technology, such as quantum sensing and navigation, advanced robotics, underwater and space communications, and bio-medical applications. While DFBs are commonly used in non-visible wavelengths, they are not commercially available in the near-ultraviolet (UV) and visible spectrums.
“Our recent breakthroughs in GaN-based DFB lasers offer a game-changing solution for emerging quantum sensing, navigation, and communication needs, as well as critical next-generation defence and aviation applications. Visible DFB lasers offer multiple advantages for these emerging technologies, providing precise stable wavelengths and high-power narrow spectral width,” says Haden. “They also address a key challenge for quantum computing, which currently utilize large laser systems with significant power and space requirements. Thousands of GaN DFB lasers are processed simultaneously on one 2-inch wafer, potentially paving a way for quantum computers to scale-up in volume production as well as scale-down in size,” he adds. The company has published an updated white paper on BluGlass’ latest DFB laser performance data, which is available to download at www.bluglass.com/laser-diodes.
Intellectual property
BluGlass has secured the rights to license key DFB fabrication IP, entering an agreement with development partner the UCSB Solid State Lighting and Energy Electronics Consortium (SSLEEC) to obtain the rights to two patents. These patents protect laser design, microfabrication techniques, and specialized optical structures for high-performance GaN DFB lasers for use in wavelengths spanning UV to green.
Customer engagement
BluGlass shipped multiple laser orders from new and repeat customers during the quarter. BluGlass says that it is in various stages of engagement with multiple potential customers and remains focused on converting these opportunities into new orders and custom projects. The firm is also pursuing large revenue-generating contracts, applying for specialist projects as part of the broader ME Commons initiative and engaging with potential partners on tender applications.
Secured $10.17m to speed laser delivery
BluGlass strengthened its balance sheet during the quarter, raising $10.17m to fast-track the production and delivery of its visible lasers to fulfil new and existing contracts, invest in additional fab equipment, and working capital. A well-supported placement to sophisticated investors raised $4.3m at $0.037 per share in March, and a share purchase plan on the same terms contributed $5.87m in April. Each new share is inclusive of one free attaching option, exercisable at $0.046 and expiring on 28 February. For every attaching option exercised, shareholders receive an additional piggyback option.
Financials
March-quarter revenue of $795,000 comprised payments under the NCSU contract, laser orders, and foundry services for a European wafer developer.
R&D expenses were $2,863,000 (comprising $2,829,000 for laser diode product development and $34,000 for RPCVD development), inclusive of salaries, materials, and fabrication costs. Payments to related parties were $101,000, encompassing chair and non-executive director fees. Cash at the end of the quarter was $3,277,000, following a $4.3m placement. The cash balance excludes the $5.87m raised via a share purchase plan, received in April.
Outlook
BluGlass says that it continues to gain traction within the highly constrained GaN laser market, building its novel architecture capability to address evolving market needs. The firm is making in-roads with its next-generation product development as part of its CLAWS Hub activity, and is collaborating on complementary technology solutions with laser pioneer Applied Energetics. These partnerships align with BluGlass’ technical and commercial roadmaps, enabling it to further differentiate its visible laser offering from larger competitors, bring innovative new products to market quicker, and build industry credibility, it is reckoned.
BluGlass says that it will continue to execute on its growth strategy in fiscal Q4/2024, expanding revenue-generating partnerships, progressing sales and qualification of its direct-to-market GaN lasers, and bringing its vertically integrated fab up to speed.
BluGlass closes share purchase plan, adding $5.87m to $4.3m placement
BluGlass and Applied Energetics sign MoU to collaborate
BluGlass acquires contract manufacturer GaNWorks Foundry for US$800,000
BluGlass gains US$1.775m contract with NCSU for laser development
BluGlass a commercial partner in US Microelectronics Commons regional innovation hub CLAWS
