BluGlass and NCSU in $1.925m DoD contract
Australian Semiconductor developer BluGlass and North Carolina State University (NCSU) have entered into a $1.925 million contract as part of the US Department of Defense’s $2 billion Microelectronics Commons Program for visible laser development.
This is part of the 'Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors' (CLAWS) Hub. The year two contract follows successful completion of the base year of performance milestones
The CLAWS Hub is one of eight Microelectronic Commons innovation hubs established by the US DoD and funded by the CHIPS and Science Act. The $2B Microelectronics Commons program is a collaborative capability-building program for the development of next-generation defence and dual use technologies. The 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 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’ successful completion of all development milestones of the base year of performance under its core-development contract for FY24.
BluGlass’ GaN DFB laser technology will build on the company’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 a promising laser technology commonly utilised 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 CEO Jim Haden said, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (CLAWS) Hub. 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. 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.
“Our continued collaboration with hub members is helping to accelerate the development and commercialisation 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 research and development to advanced prototyping and commercial production and help facilitate technology translation from ‘lab-to-fab’.
