News: Optoelectronics
16 July 2026
BluGlass secures AUS$1.4m Phase II contract under JDA with Uviquity
BluGlass Ltd of Silverwater, Australia — which develops and manufactures gallium nitride (GaN) visible laser diodes based on its proprietary low-temperature, low-hydrogen remote-plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) technology — has secured a AUS$1.4m (US$1m) commitment from Uviquity of Raleigh, NC, USA (a venture-backed start-up pioneering wide-bandgap integrated photonics) for Phase II of its joint development agreement (JDA).
The Phase II program extends the collaboration to include the continued development of Uviquity’s heterogeneously integrated photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform, wafer and chip processing, packaging development, laser integration, as well as purchases of BluGlass’ visible GaN laser products and related components.
Uviquity develops chip-based deep-UV light sources on an aluminium nitride (AlN) PIC platform, serving two markets: deep-UV sensing and analytical instrumentation, and human-safe far-UVC disinfection. The first phase of the JDA advanced this platform. Uviquity recently announced the world’s first chip-scale deep-UV laser at 229nm, targeting analytical and inspection applications across the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, environmental and defence markets.
The Phase II commitment will be paid in instalments over the coming year, commencing in third-quarter 2026.
“Our expanded agreement with Uviquity is a testament to the value of BluGlass’ advanced visible GaN lasers and custom development capability for novel applications,” says BluGlass’ CEO Jim Haden. “Uviquity is at the cutting-edge of PIC development and is leveraging our visible laser processing and advanced packaging expertise to expand its unique aluminium nitride platform into sensing, quantum and disinfection applications.”
“Importantly, this strategic partnership includes the potential for a long-term manufacturing supply agreement for GaN lasers as Uviquity commercializes its photonic integrated circuit and packaging roadmap. We’re excited about our continued collaboration as we work towards having our lasers ‘designed-in’ next-generation applications across fast-growing emerging markets,” he adds.
“The successful closing of all activities under the first phase of our JDA reinforces our confidence in the value of the BluGlass-Uviquity partnership,” says Uviquity’s CEO Scott Burroughs. “Over the past two years, our team has achieved important technical milestones, including pioneering advances in AlN-based photonics and demonstration of the world’s first chip-scale 229nm deep-UV laser that we look forward to sampling to customers later this year. This is the beginning of a series of products that we plan to introduce going forward,” he adds.
“Phase II broadens this collaboration from research and development into additional engineering, novel packaging, laser integration, and product-focused activities. We believe the combination of Uviquity’s AlN PIC platform and BluGlass’ advanced laser capabilities creates a powerful foundation for future commercial opportunities.”
BluGlass secures AUS$1.2m order for first phase of multi-year JDA with Uviquity
