News: Optoelectronics
14 November 2024
BluGlass enters into contract with NCSU for visible laser development as part of CLAWS Hub
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 entered into a US$1.925m (AUS$2.9m) contract with North Carolina State University (NCSU) for visible laser development activity as part of the Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (CLAWS) Hub.
The CLAWS Hub is one of eight Microelectronic Commons innovation hubs established by the US Department of Defense (DoD) and funded by the CHIPS and Science Act. The US$2bn Microelectronics Commons program is a collaborative capability-building program for the development of next-generation defence and dual-use technologies. Hub members include Coherent, MACOM, General Electric, Adroit, Kyma, and NCA&T State University.
Under its core-development contract for the second year of the Microelectronics Commons program, BluGlass will advance the capabilities of its laser portfolio for quantum computing and intelligence applications, including maturing its single-frequency visible GaN DFB laser technology for commercial applications. The contract award follows BluGlass’ completion of all development milestones of the base year of performance under its AUS$2.9m core-development contract for fiscal year 2024.
BluGlass’ GaN DFB laser technology will leverage the firm’s proprietary deposition and novel device architectures to enable key performance advantages for next-generation quantum applications, including ultra-precision, higher-efficiency and novel device structures. DFB lasers are commonly utilized in non-visible wavelengths for single-frequency devices that require narrow spectral width and high spectral purity. GaN-based DFB lasers are not currently commercially available in visible wavelengths.
“BluGlass’ collaboration with industry leaders to enable ground-breaking advancements in quantum applications is a testament to our growing reputation in delivering innovative solutions and end-to-end production capabilities,” reckons CEO Jim Haden. “This important program provides non-dilutive funds to advance our laser technology and toolset, and validates our technical and manufacturing capabilities, growing industry reputation, and GaN laser roadmap,” he adds. “Our continued collaboration with hub members is helping to accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation photonics and optoelectronic devices for materials processing, sensing, communications, AI, future quantum technology applications, and critical defence applications.”
BluGlass is a commercial ‘off-ramp’ in the Microelectronics Commons and was selected as a member of the CLAWS Hub for its commercial manufacturing capabilities, to translate R&D to advanced prototyping and commercial production and help to facilitate technology translation from lab-to-fab.
BluGlass gains US$1.775m contract with NCSU for laser development
BluGlass a commercial partner in US Microelectronics Commons regional innovation hub CLAWS
