JDS Uniphase to Acquire Optical MEMS Shop Cronos for $750 Million
MEMS devices are mechanically controllable silicon microstructures that can be used to switch, attenuate, tune or otherwise control light. The manufacturing processes are based on well-established semiconductor industry techniques. For many design applications, MEMS devices take up less space, consume less power, and require less costly large-volume production than traditional electronic and electromechanical components.
JDS Uniphase expects MEMS technology to play a key role in a wide variety of future generations of optical components, including optical switches, attenuators, gain equalizers, dispersion compensators, and programmable add/drop modules. MEMS devices enable the creation of arrays of very small, high capacity switches, on which large-scale optical switches and cross-connects operate. JDS Uniphase produces both optomechanical and polymer-based switches, and expects to offer MEMS-based optical switches in the future.
Growing out of research roots from its former parent MCNC, formerly known as the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina, Cronos is now a full capability source for the design, prototyping and manufacturing of MEMS optical devices based on all three recognized forms of this technology: surface, bulk, and high aspect ratio micromachining. With this broad suite of capabilities, JDS Uniphase believes Cronos is positioned to deliver new, integrated optical devices with complex functionality to meet emerging needs in high bandwidth optical telecommunications.
Edited by Erik Kreifeldt