Optoscribe (Livingston, UK), which maufactures 3D glass-based integrated photonics components for the telecommunications and data communications markets, has closed its latest investment round. This funding round, which was led by Scottish business angel investment syndicate Archangels with participation from Maven Capital Partners, Par Equity, and Scottish Investment Bank, is aimed at boosting the continued expansion of the business and enabling further commercial engagement.
Optoscribe's proprietary laser direct-write technology produces optical components at a wafer level, primarily for optical communications applications such as optical transceivers in the rapidly growing data centre market, and for precision fiber alignment structures and interconnects for high density fiber-optic connections. The company's laser-writing approach produces simple and precise means of getting light to and from the components within optical transceivers and other photonic devices. Because the laser-writing is automated, manufacturers can add the process to their own high-volume assembly processes to lower overall costs.
One example of an Optoscribe laser-written component is a precision fiber alignment structure made of glass for precise, stable alignment of arrays of fibers. The laser-based manufacturing provides 3D flexibility in the patterning of holes and can create high-precision, highly controllable glass microstructures; hole entrances can be shaped into a funnel or conical taper if desired.
Nick Psaila, Optiscribe's CEO, says he anticipates a further investment round within the next 18 months.
"Optoscribe has been at the forefront of innovation in the optical communications market for a number of years now, and its direct-write technology looks destined to be central to many of the next generation of optical transceivers and optical interconnect products," says David Ovens, joint managing director at Archangels. "The company has significantly expanded its range of commercial engagements over the past 12 months and we are delighted to be able to support the company through this next period of significant growth."
Source: Optoscribe (see www.optoscribe.com for more info)
Got optics- and photonics-related news to share with us? Contact John Wallace, Senior Editor, Laser Focus World
Get more like this delivered right to your inbox
