News in brief: Princeton Lightwave, Rohm, SiGe
Princeton Lightwave appoints three new senior executives
High-power infrared laser manufacturer Princeton Lightwave, NJ, has appointed three new senior executives from JDS Uniphase’s EPITAXX division.
Mark Itzler, who has joined Princeton as chief technical officer, will manage the company’s semiconductor device design and foundry services. Alka Swanson, previously general manager at JDS EPITAXX, will be Princeton’s executive VP of sales, marketing and business development. Also joining is Sabbir Rangwala, who becomes VP of products and operations.
“We have brought together a very experienced team,” said Yves Dzialowski, Princeton’s CEO. “This will allow us to address new applications for optical systems in telecom and other fields like instrumentation and defense.”
Rohm fabricates high-efficiency VCSEL
Japanese optoelectronics manufacturer Rohm has developed a VCSEL capable of producing double the light output of conventional devices, claims a report in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
The laser emits at 850 nm and operates at 6 mA. To increase light output, Rohm is said to have optimized the laser’s aperture size and reviewed the materials used in the device structure to minimize losses.
The company is believed to have a manufacturing system in place to produce the new laser as market demand grows.
SiGe Semiconductor ships 10 millionth IC
Canada-based SiGe Semiconductor has shipped its 10 millionth IC for wireless and broadband consumer electronics.
SiGe says that its sales revenue increased by 150% from 2002 to 2003, which the company attributes to the success of its RangeChargerT wireless PAs. These devices represent 70% of its worldwide shipments.
The company has also found a new customer for the devices. Universal Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd will buy SiGe’s PAs to boost the transmission range and battery life of its portable Wi-FiR systems.