Ortel, a subsidiary of Photonics Foundries, has successfully transferred wafer fabrication for its flagship C-Band, High-Power Continuous Wave Laser Module platform to the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC). The move ensures uninterrupted wafer supply and positions Ortel to expand its laser solutions into key markets, including LIDAR, fiber optic sensing, coherent communications, and test and measurement applications. CPFC, the premier North American III-V semiconductor wafer foundry, will provide enhanced supply security, custom epitaxy growth, and increased production capacity for Ortel’s laser platform.
The laser modules offer a narrow linewidth of 50 kHz, high power up to 100 mW, and low noise performance, making them suitable for DWDM applications on the ITU wavelength grid. The lasers will be available in 14-pin butterfly (model 1790), cooled TO56 (model 1995), and chip-on-submount configurations. Initial samples will be available in February, with production units ready by Q2 2025.
• Laser Features: Narrow linewidth (50 kHz), high power (up to 100 mW), and low noise for DWDM and coherent applications.
• Package Options: Offered as 14-pin butterfly, cooled TO56, or chip-on-submount.
• Production Timeline: Customer samples in February 2025; full production by Q2 2025.
• Wafer Partner: CPFC will leverage its state-of-the-art capabilities to optimize laser performance and ensure supply security.
• Applications: LIDAR, fiber optic sensing, coherent communications, test and measurement, and DWDM networks.
“Throughout the design and qualification process, we’ve been thrilled to partner with the team at the CPFC,” said Grant Olecko, Vice President of Product Line Management, Ortel. “Their facility offers key advantages including supply security, superior technology, and significant capacity improvements, ensuring that Ortel can deliver exceptional precision and optimized performance for our customers.”
- Photonics Foundries acquired Ortel in 2023 and provides comprehensive solutions for advanced opto-electronics technologies.
- The CPFC, part of the National Research Council of Canada, offers semiconductor laser fabrication, optical amplifiers, high-speed modulators, micro-LEDs, and GaN RF ICs. It has supported commercial production of disruptive photonic technologies since 2004.