AXT, Inc. Introduces New VCSEL Wafers for Fiber Optic Communications
Source: AXT, Inc.
VCSEL Wafers Currently Available in Production Quantities
FREMONT, Calif. AXT, Inc. (Nasdaq: AXTI), a leading manufacturer of compound semiconductor substrates and optoelectronic devices, today announced the availability of its 780nm and 850nm vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) wafers. These wafers are available in two types: one is suitable for ion-implantation processes and the other for oxidation processes. Because these wafers have a thickness variation of less than 0.5 percent, the wafers are ideally suited for one-dimensional and two-dimensional VCSEL arrays for applications such as Gigabit Ethernet, Storage-Area Networks, laser printers, high-speed optical input/output and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM).
The Gigabit Ethernet transceiver market alone was approximately $600 million in 1999 and is expected to be more than $2 billion by 2004, according to ElectroniCast Corporation. As Internet usage continues to grow and speed requirements increase, the market demand for high-bandwidth fiber optic links has also grown dramatically. VCSEL lasers are ideal for providing high-speed optical links for data transmission because of their performance and cost benefits.
"AXT s state-of-the-art MOCVD systems use a monitoring and control process that allows us to grow the very complex and demanding VCSEL structure uniformly, consistently and with higher yields," said Morris Young, president and CEO. "Our new VCSEL wafers demonstrate AXT s commitment to providing our customers the highest quality products that meet strenuous requirements for high-speed data transmission."
AXT s VCSEL wafers are currently available in 2-inch and 3-inch diameters and have an aluminum gallium arsenide epi structure on a gallium arsenide substrate. For the ion-implantation process, the VCSEL wafers have demonstrated a threshold current as low as 3.0 mA and a peak output power of 12mW with approximately 18 micro-meter aperture devices. The wafers can be used to create a range of arrays, such as 1x4 and 1x12 and 2 dimensional matrix devices with speeds up to 2.5 Gb/s for each device. AXT s VCSEL wafers have been tested for 16,800 device-hours at 85 degrees centigrade and 30mA operations to demonstrate their reliability.
The new VCSEL wafers are currently available in production quantities.
About AXT, Inc.
AXT designs, develops, manufactures and markets high-performance substrates for the communications industry. AXT is also a producer of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for the display and lighting industries and diodes for laser pointers. The company s proprietary Vertical Gradient Freeze (VGF) crystal growth technology produces low-defect, semi-insulating and semi-conducting gallium arsenide, indium phosphide and germanium substrates. The company has also introduced gallium nitride substrates for manufacturing blue LEDs. For more information, see AXT s website at www.axt.com. The company can also be reached at 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538 or call 510-683-5900. AXT is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol AXTI.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the availability and performance of VCSEL wafers, the company s ability to bring these products to market, the current market conditions in the optoelectronic device industry and the future financial performance of the company. Forward-looking statements address matters that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. In addition to the general risks associated with the development of complex technology and the risks associated with the company s acquisition and the integration of Lyte Optronics, Inc., future results of the company will depend on a variety of factors, including, among others, the timing of significant orders, unexpected cancellations or returns by customers, the ability of the company to bring new products to market, the timing of new product releases and product announcements by the company s competitors and other competitive factors. Reference is made to the company s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, for further discussion of risks and uncertainties regarding the company s business.
CONTACT: Don Tatzin of American Xtal Technology, Inc., 510-683-5900; or Leslie Green of Stapleton Communications Inc., 650-470-4222, for AXT
Web site: http://www.axt.com (AXTI)
Don Tatzin of American Xtal Technology, Inc., 510-683-5900; or
Leslie Green of Stapleton Communications Inc., 650-470-4222, for AXT
Web site: http://www.axt.com (AXTI)
Web site: http://www.axt.com
