Unaxis Optics makes strategic investment in Novalux

June 14, 2006, Balzers, Lichtenstein--Unaxis Optics has acquired a strategic stake in Novalux (Sunnyvale, CA) as part of a $21.7 million financing round that included Crescendo Ventures, Morgan Stanley Venture Partners, Dynafund Ventures, and Tredegar.

In addition, Novalux and Unaxis Optics have entered into a joint development and license agreement. According to the agreement, Novalux licenses its RGB laser reference design and will supply Unaxis with NECSEL semiconductor chips. Unaxis will then mass produce and distribute RGB laser modules into the projection display supply chain.

Unaxis Optics is an established leader in color management systems for major micro display technologies. According to the company, the advantages provided by laser based systems powered by NECSEL lasers include images with truer colors, greater brilliancy, and higher reliability. The new laser sources from Novalux also help reduce the number of required components and cut the production costs of the light source and other optical components. Thomas Limberger, CEO of Unaxis, calls the laser technology from Novalux an ideal addition to Unaxis Optics' technologies and products.

"It is an innovation that will reshuffle the market for front and rear projection displays and represent the future direction of projection systems," he said. "It also opens up new markets such as pico-projection and 3D applications."