ALLENTOWN, Pa., Sept. 2 -- Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group reports it has purchased equity in privately held Horizon Photonics Inc., a manufacturer of passive optical components. The investment allows Lucent to access products and technologies that leverage Horizon's automated manufacturing processes, and provides Lucent with a supply of passive components -- lenses, isolators, micro-collimators, and optical attenuators -- for incorporation into optoelectronic components used in high-bandwidth optical networking systems. Horizon is one of the few manufacturers of passive components to use automated manufacturing processes. By investing in Horizon Photonics, Lucent demonstrates its support of manufacturing techniques that will lead to higher volume, higher quality and lower cost production of passives, said Ed Coringrato, senior manager of planning and business development for Lucent's optoelectronics components business. Bob Cullen, Horizon's president and co-founder, commented, This investment solidifies our plans for expansion of staff and facility to meet the demands of this rapid growth industry.