Photonics News: Week in Brief: 10/1/21

ALBANY, N.Y. — AIM Photonics certified Synopsys Inc.’s IC Validator solution for the physical verification signoff of PICs. Synopsys, an electronic design automation company that focuses on silicon design and verification, said that its solution aids in the development of high-performance networking systems on chips, AI accelerator engines, and more. In combination with Synopsys’ PIC design suite software, IC Validator enables design rule checking signoff for integrated photonics design. In addition to receiving IC Validator certification, Synopsys renewed its AIM Photonics membership to provide electronic/photonic design automation solutions.

The Heraeus Group will acquire Mo-Sci Corp., a supplier of glass microspheres, fibers, and powders to the medical device industry. The acquired company additionally develops custom glass solution for unique applications. Courtesy of the Heraeus Group.

ROLLA, Mo. — The Heraeus Co. will acquire Mo-Sci Corp., a supplier of glass microspheres, fibers, and powders to the medical device industry — one of two acquisitions that the company announced. Mo-Sci also provides sealing glass and test services for the aerospace, automotive, and electronic industries. The Heraeus Group includes businesses in the environmental, electronics, health, and industrial applications sectors.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — Princeton Infrared Technologies received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to fund development of a megapixel high-resolution seeker with extended wavelength detection capability covering the entire SWIR range. The camera will have a high-pixel operability with a digital output at greater than industry standard frame rate and full resolution. The electro-optical seeker will be manufactured on InP substrates using the InGaAs/GaAsSb system, and will be manufactured and hybridized at wafer scale, the company said. The imagers will require less cooling, allowing reduced system size.

COLOMBES, France — Specialty materials company Arkema proposed to divest its epoxides business to Cargill, an agricultural products and services company. Arkema said it is pursuing the repositioning of its portfolio on its core business.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Keysight Technologies and National Central University of Optical Sciences Center (NCUOSC, Taiwan) announced a collaboration to improve the design and test validation efficiency of GaN and SiC application. The collaborators aim to accelerate the pace of 5G and electric vehicle innovation. NCUOSC previously used Keysight’s PD1500A dynamic power device analyzer double pulse tester platform to establish a third-generation wide bandgap semiconductor open laboratory to improve developing and testing efficiency.

BOULDER, Colo. — The National Science Foundation renewed the Science and Technology Center on Real-Time Functional Imaging (STROBE) for five years and more than $22 million. STROBE, a partnership between six American colleges, advances light-based and electron microscopies through the integration of advanced algorithms, big data analysis, and adaptive imaging to address issues with potential to transform imaging science and technology.

CHEVY CHASE, Md. — The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) board of directors approved a task force to advance the U.N. sustainable development goals, with the objective of providing support to projects that include the use of UV technology to protect public health and the environment in low- and middle-income settings. IUVA task force activities will include reviews of water technology, surveys of local contacts and households, and the arrangement of meeting and webinars with stakeholders.