SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 12 -- Schott Optovance Inc., an optical interconnect company, has partnered with vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) provider ULM Photonics. The strategic partnership positions Schott Optovance as the lead investor and exclusive North American distributor of ULM Photonics products and reaffirms Schott Optovance's goal to lead the emerging market for very-short-reach (VSR) optical interconnects. "ULM Photonics and Schott Optovance products naturally complement each other because they are crafted with the common and inherent commitment to lead, drive and help define the emerging VSR component market," said Alexander Hagemann, CEO of Schott Optovance. "ULM Photonics' VCSEL products and Schott Optovance's fiber management products create a synergy now available to customers looking for efficient VSR optical interconnect solutions from one experienced vendor."