nLight Acquires Fiber Laser Maker Arbor Photonics

nLight Corp. has invested in fiber laser technology by acquiring Michigan-based Arbor Photonics Inc., the company announced Monday. Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.

nLight supplies high-performance fiber, diode-pumped solid-state and direct-diode lasers for advanced materials processing, defense, and medical applications.

In 2008, Arbor Photonics received an exclusive license for chirally-coupled core (3C®) fiber technology from the University of Michigan (See: Arbor Photonics to Commercialize UMich Optical Fiber). The technology enables state-of-the-art high power fiber lasers that can be used in a wide range of new material processing, defense, and medical applications.

“3C® fiber technology is critical to enable advanced applications that require high peak-power and single-mode beam quality,” said Jake Bell, nLight vice president and general manager. “3C® fiber is also polarization maintaining, which is essential for generation of green and ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths.”

The Columbian newspaper in Vancouver reported last week that nLight had filed papers with the US Securities and Exchange commission indicating it had raised more than $3 million and still hoped to raise another $836,000. The paper speculated that the fundraising could be tied to an acquisition, and expected a statement from the company this week.

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