. In the access segment, our high power, multiple output fiber amplifiers enable fiber-to-the-curb applications and hybrid cable television networks with many end users.
. In free-space (wireless) optical networks, a subsegment of the access segment, our high power amplifiers automatically adjust power output over a wide dynamic range to overcome atmospheric limitations, such as fog and rain.
. In the metropolitan segment, our low and medium power fiber amplifiers can be widely deployed because of their cost-effectiveness and high reliability.
In addition to telecommunications products, we also provide high power fiber lasers for a variety of industrial applications. Industrial lasers enable manufacturers to cut, mark and measure without physical contact which, in many applications, allows for higher processing speeds. Most industrial lasers in use today are gas or solid state. Our high power fiber lasers offer several benefits compared to these traditional laser technologies, such as higher beam quality and mobility, increased reliability and efficiency, reduced size, maintenance-free operation and lower operating costs.
Our state-of-the-art products are based on our innovative proprietary technology platform. This platform is supported by a team of more than 30 Ph.D.'s over a wide range of disciplines. We have developed a fiber amplification technology that allows us to efficiently use a greater number of diodes in our fiber amplifiers, thereby producing higher output power than achievable through traditional techniques. A key element of this technology is our ability to pump our proprietary single mode fibers with multimode diodes. Our expertise in materials science is the basis for our manufacturing expertise of the specialty fibers we use in our fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers. We believe these proprietary fibers allow us to create fiber amplifiers that can operate over a broader range of the usable optical spectrum than those offered by our competitors. In addition, our simplified product design decreases the number of components used, allowing for a more flexible and cost-effective manufacturing platform.
Our vertically integrated manufacturing operations allow us to better meet the needs of our telecommunications and industrial customers. We design and manufacture a significant majority of the critical specialty components used in our products. We also test and qualify all of our components and assemblies, as well as our finished products, to assure reliability and performance. Our vertical integration enables us to quickly scale our production and maintain high product quality and reliability. We perform our manufacturing, assembly and testing at our facilities in the United States, Germany and Italy, as well as at our affiliate in Russia, and are currently expanding our manufacturing capacity significantly.
Our objective is to be the leading supplier of fiber amplifiers, Raman pump lasers and fiber lasers to developers of optical communications and industrial laser systems. Key elements of our strategy include:
. extending our existing technology leadership;
. expanding and enhancing our existing line of products;
. expanding our manufacturing capacity and reducing costs;
. expanding our sales and marketing efforts;
. providing our customers with a high degree of technical and engineering support for customization; and
. acquiring strategic businesses and technologies consistent with our growth strategies. |
