News in brief: Modulight, Comlase, Freescale
Laser diode manufacturer Modulight of Finland is to supply fiber-pigtailed laser diodes for use in the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite mission being run by the European Space Agency (ESA).
The SMOS satellite will be used for global observations of key variables of the Earth s climate and environment systems and is the first of its kind in the world.
Modulight lasers will be an essential part of the optical harness of the MIRAS instrument in the satellite. The MIRAS Optical Harness (MOHA) is designed and manufactured by Contraves Space, a division of the Unaxis Group.
The lasers will constitute a key part of the information delivery system that will be used to cross-correlate the 72 radiometers that jointly form a very-high sensitivity virtual antenna.
Comlase receives additional venture funding
Comlase, which develops process technology and equipment for the production of high-reliability semiconductor lasers and optoelectronic devices, has completed a new round of venture funding. This provides the company, based in Stockholm, Sweden, with an additional 12 million Swedish Krona ($1.6 million) in capital.
More than half of the funding round was supplied by new investor Teknoinvest, while the balance was raised from existing shareholders. Last year, Comlase introduced a novel reactor for passivation and facet coating of laser diodes.
"We ve had a tremendously positive response to our technology for increasing performance, reliability and yield in high-power semiconductor lasers," said Comlase CEO Alfred Feitisch. "This funding will give us additional resources to capitalize on this interest and convert it into revenue."
"We envision the Comlase technology eventually having an impact in everything from high-power, kilowatt output solid-state lasers to blue lasers for next-generation DVD drives and players," said Björn Bjorå, partner and managing director at Teknoinvest.
Freescale unveils plans for $2.6 billion IPO
Freescale Semiconductor, Motorola s chip-making unit which is to be spun-off shortly, has revealed plans to sell 121.6 million shares to the public. Underwriters would also have the option to purchase an additional 18.2 million shares.
With a share price of $17.50-19.50, the IPO could be worth $2.6 billion. The unit had sales of $4.9 billion last year.
After the sales of these class A shares, Motorola will retain all of Freescale s class B shares, which will carry 92 percent of the votes.
