SDL to Supply Alcatel with 980-nm Pump Chips for Undersea Networks

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 1 -- SDL Inc. has agreed to extend an existing multi-year agreement to supply Alcatel Optronics with 980-nm laser chips and fiber Bragg gratings until 2003. Alcatel uses the chips and gratings in pump modules manufactured for undersea fiber optic networks.
The agreement follows the August 1999 announcement of the successful joint qualification and production ramp of the 980-nm laser chips. One area covered by the extended agreement is the development of the next generation of these chips -- the 6540 Series -- which will continue SDL's collaboration with Alcatel on the production of high performance pump modules for undersea dense WDM networks. SDL expects the new pump module to be capable of powers exceeding 180 mW; the company said the module will be available later this year.