u²t Photonics AG today announced that it has acquired the assets of a high speed GaAs Optical Modulator business based in the United Kingdom for an undisclosed sum.

GaAs modulator technology is seen as a key in the cost effective deployment of 40 and 100 G fiber optic communication systems to meet the ever increasing demands for global internet traffic. Since GaAs can utilize 6" wafer processing capabilities the process control available can be much better than that employed for the smaller wafer sizes usually employed for optoelectronic components used in optical communications applications. This will in turn enable higher levels of monolithic integration in GaAs enabling the high performance and cost effective components that are required for the complex modulation schemes that 40 and 100 G systems will need. 

This acquisition will add to u²t's strong capability in 40 and 100 G optical communication products which are amongst the fastest growing areas in the optical networking market. u²t expects the addition of the GaAs modulator business to strengthen their product offering which already has leading edge 40 and 100 G receiver and detector products.

With this acquisition u²t gains access to GaAs based optical components and adds another platform to its technology portfolio. u²t will continue its close partnership with Heinrich-Hertz-Institut in Berlin on components based on InP technology, enabling the exploitation of whichever material system is best suited for each application.

"We are very excited about the acquisition of the GaAs Optical Modulator business since we see very strong synergies with our existing 40 and 100 G receiver products" said Andreas Umbach, the Chief Executive Officer of u²t. "It will allow us to enhance our offering by delivering high performance yet cost effective transmitter functionality. I was encouraged by the experience and capabilities of the team and their enthusiastic reaction to the acquisition."

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About u²t Photonics AG

u²t Photonics AG founded in 1998 and headquartered in Berlin/Germany, is a leading supplier of ultra-high speed optical detectors and receivers up to 100 GHz. Based on its unique and mature technology u²t develops, manufactures and markets highly competitive products for High Speed Communication applications and detectors with superior performance for Test and Measurement Equipment vendors. A platform approach based on building blocks enables u²t to offer a comprehensive and fully TELCORDIA qualified portfolio supporting the requirements from transponder vendors, line card and system designers as well as test equipment vendors. u²t is ISO certified and offers high quality of service.