Coherent buys diode-pumped-laser assets from ATx

Coherent Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) has acquired all the nontelecommunications diode-pumped-laser assets of ATx Telecom Systems (ATx, formerly Amoco Laser Co., Naperville, IL). As part of the agreement, Coherent was also granted an exclusive license under 24 US patents relating to diode-pumped lasers for all uses other than telecommunications, with the right to grant sublicenses. ATx retained the rights and manufacturing capacity for all of its diode-pumped solid-state laser technologies for telecommunications. According to Coherent, this transaction will broaden its line of diode-pumped solid-state lasers in the CW green, Q-switched green, and Q-switched infrared wavelengths for medical, industrial, and commercial applications.