CoolLED, Optoprim Technology Forge Partnership: Week in Brief: 8/15/2025

Photonics.com
Aug 2025SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 15, 2025 — Lumentum announced plans for a capacity expansion of its U.S.-based semiconductor facility, located in San Jose. According to the company, the expansion aims to support manufacturing related to AI-driven co-packaged optics, and will generate high-skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs. Lumentum is a primary supplier to the industry of ultra-high-power lasers, which are essential components in co-packaged optics (CPO) platforms.

TORONTO — Quantum computing company Xanadu and precision machine and processing tool manufacturer DISCO Corporation are collaborating on the development of advanced wafer processing techniques for ultra-low loss PICs. This partnership focuses on enhancing wafer dicing processes, specialized wafer preparation for heterogeneous integration and assembly, as well as achieving ultra-smooth surfaces through polishing optimization. DISCO will provide high-quality wafer dicing using its machinery, supporting Xanadu’s efforts in utility-scale photonic quantum computer development.

MUNICH — Infineon acquired Marvell’s Automotive Ethernet business, following the transaction agreement that the companies announced in April. Infineon aims to further expand the acquired Ethernet business; the entire Ethernet competence will be bundled in a newly created "Ethernet Solutions" business line within Infineon's Automotive division.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Celestial AI, an optical interconnect technology company, added strategic investors VentureTech Alliance and Samsung Catalyst Fund to its Series C1 funding. This latest investment brings the company’s total funding to $520 million. The funding will go toward Celestial AI’s Photonic Fabric technology, which provides seamless optical scale-up networking from chip-to-chip within processor packages to server-to-server across data center racks.

CoolLED’s pE-4000 system. Courtesy of CoolLED.

ANDOVER, England — CoolLED, a manufacturer and designer of LED technology, partnered with photonics company Optoprim to bring CoolLED’s LED systems to researchers throughout Italy. Optoprim’s expertise is in the fields of spectroscopy, imaging, and Raman applications.

HAIFA, Israel — Global defense company Elbit Systems received a $1.6B contract to deliver a range of defense solutions to a European country. The implementation of the contract is expected to span a five-year period. The contract includes two groups of technologically advanced solutions from Elbit Systems. The first group includes long-range precision strike artillery-rocket systems and a broad spectrum of unmanned reconnaissance and loitering aerial combat systems, from operational to tactical ranges, including personally operated drones. The second group includes ISTAR capabilities, including SIGINT, COMINT, and electronic warfare systems. Enabled intelligence collection and processing systems will also be delivered, along with advanced electro-optical and night-vision systems, combat vehicle upgrades, and protective systems.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Kopin Corporation entered into an agreement for a $15M strategic investment from Theon International Plc, a developer and manufacturer of advanced thermal imaging and night vision systems for global defense and thermal imaging markets. Theon will invest $8M into Kopin’s subsidiary in Scotland, supporting co-developed products for Europe, Southeast Asia, and NATO countries. In exchange for the $8M, Theon will receive a 49% equity interest in Kopin Europe. The parties anticipate performing joint development and production activities at Kopin’s subsidiary in Virginia. Kopin, in a separate development, announced a $9M follow-on production contract in support of a custom thermal imaging assembly build for a major U.S. defense prime contractor. The custom eyepiece module integrates Kopin’s micro-display, lens, and drive electronics within a durable, ruggedized enclosure, Kopin said.

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