EU DOTCOM researchers win Russian award
Two researchers from the EU DOTCOM project (Stuttgart, Germany), Dieter Bimberg at the Technical University of Berlin, along with Zhores Alferov at the Ioffe Institute, Russia (winner of the 2000 Nobel prize for physics) and other coworkers, have received the State Prize of Science and Technology 2001 from the Russian Federation for their work on quantum dots and quantum dot lasers, as decreed by President Putin on Aug. 5. The DOTCOM project is funded by the European Union's Information Society Technology Programme. The objective of DOTCOM (Quantum Dot Laser for Optoelectronic Information Communication) is the development of innovative quantum-dot lasers and amplifiers based on gallium arsenide quantum-dot wafer technology. Ten partners form the DOTCOM consortium: DLR (Stuttgart, Germany), TU (Berlin, Germany), Research Centre COM (Lyngby, Denmark), University College Cork (Cork, Ireland), University of Bristol (Bristol, England), Cambridge University (Cambridge, England), University of Glasgow (Glasgow, Scotland), Optospeed (Rüschlikon, Switzerland), Agilent Technologies (Palo Alto, CA), and Intense Photonics (High Blantyre, Scotland).
Uniroyal,subsidiaries declare bankruptcy
Uniroyal Technology (Sarasota, FL) and its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Subsequently, the manufacturer of LEDs and related products received court approval for a commitment of up to $15 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from The CIT Group (New York, NY). Uniroyal Technology's Compound Semiconductors and Optoelectronics business segment includes Uniroyal Optoelectronics, Sterling Semiconductor, and NorLux. The company expects to file a plan of reorganization with the court that provides full recovery for all of its creditors.
Spire Biomedical wins NIH contract for fiber-laser scalpel
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Spire Biomedical (Bedford, MA) a $144,000 Phase I contract for the development of a fiber-laser instrument for middle-ear surgery of children. Successful demonstration can lead to a Phase II contract for up to $1 million to build a prototype instrument. Each year more than 10 million children in the United States, mostly between the ages of six months and three years, are treated for ear infections due to fluid in the middle ear. These infections do not always respond to antibiotics. In these cases, a procedure called a myringotomy is employed where a small hole is made in the eardrum to relieve fluid buildup to prevent infection. This hole is usually made surgically, requiring anesthesia. Large, pulsed gas lasers have been used for myringotomy, but the loud "pop" of the laser frightens children. Spire's fiber-laser approach has the advantages of having an optimal wavelength and an adjustable pulse duration that produces a much quieter pulse. It is also small and flexible so that it can be incorporated into a portable instrument.
Cymer expects results in line with guidance
Cymer (San Diego, CA), expects third-quarter 2002 operating results to be generally in line with the guidance provided in the company's earnings release and conference call this summer. Bob Akins, Cymer chairman and chief executive officer, noted, "We anticipate that total revenue in the third quarter of 2002 will be at the high end of, or slightly above, the previously anticipated 5% to 10% increase over the $73.67 million in revenue posted in the second quarter of this year. We will report results for the third quarter of 2002 at about 1:30 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Tuesday, Oct. 22." Due to slowing semiconductor demand and reduced industry capital spending, Cymer expects revenue in the fourth quarter to be lower than the anticipated third-quarter level."
Also in the news . . .
The ILDA (International Laser Display Association) 2002 Conference and Tradeshow will take place Nov. 23-26 in Orlando, FL, at the Coronado Springs Hotel at Walt Disney World Resort. This year's meeting will feature several seminars focusing on advancements in laser display technology, including solid-state lasers and high-speed scanning. The meeting is being co-hosted by three long-time ILDA members: Lighting Systems Design (Orlando), Pangolin Laser Systems (Orlando), and Walt Disney World. . . . VLOC (New Port Richey, FL), a subsidiary of II-VI, has appointed DJ Associates (Lakeville, PA) as its technical sales representative for the northeastern United States, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New England. DJ Associates has strong experience with optical and crystal components for the solid-state laser and optical telecommunications markets, both production and research. VLOC manufactures of Nd:YAG, Nd:YLF, and ruby laser crystals.