apaoptics.com
R & D Background
In the ever changing, highly competitive world of high technology, APA Optics, Inc. has developed a sound reputation for innovation and for finding creative solutions to vexing challenges, whether they be in the area of fiber optics, optoelectronics or precision optics. In large measure, APA Optics has earned this recognition for scientific achievement by virtue of the patentable technologies and devices it has developed and the outstanding credentials of its key technical staff.
Led by company founder and CEO Anil K. Jain, himself the holder of three patents, APA Optics, Inc. created a sophisticated innovation team, which sought to build upon emerging technologies in advanced optics and optoelectronics. Since it was established in 1979, the company has advanced its reputation for research with the granting of 10 patents for its technologies and devices; and it recently submitted three more patent applications. Overall, patents have been issued to APA Optics for innovations in the areas of fiber optics communications, gallium nitride technologies, binary optics and hologram technology. This record of research accomplishment has provided the basis for further developmental activity.
In line with its longstanding objective of pursuing technologies that will meet the needs of the marketplace, APA Optics, Inc. received a U.S. patent in September 1995 for its wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical modulator, the company's newest technological breakthrough. APA Optics has applied for a patent for its new, highly compact dense wavelength division multiplexer, which takes just 10 percent of the space, by volume, of the earlier DWDM product. This component is now being marketed for use in fiber optic communications and offers several key advantages over competing devices. The company plans to continue product development of a completely integrated optical modulator.
Building on a sound research foundation in aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) technologies, APA Optics has introduced a gallium nitride (GaN) ultraviolet (UV) detector, which is available for applications including flame sensing, medical imaging and other commercial applications. In addition, the company is continuing active development of both UV and blue lasers/light emitting diodes (LED), and transistors.
APA is one of the few companies producing UV detectors that are GaN or aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN)-based, providing significant benefits in performance over other types of UV detectors. These detectors are sensitive to ultraviolet light only, compared to other devices that also respond to visible light, or daylight. This unique feature has made the APA device attractive to a number of potential large-scale users. The high frequency transistors are designed for high power Amplifiers.
Research and development activities at APA Optics are largely targeted at the development of high quality materials that may be used in fabricating optoelectronic devices. With its vertically integrated in-house R&D capabilities (including microelectronic fabrication and test and package facilities), APA is a leader in the development of AlGaN/InGaN (indium gallium nitride) materials systems.
As a result of its work so far, APA researchers have had approximately 30 papers published in international journals. In addition, APA representatives have been invited to participate in large and prestigious R&D consortia in each of these subject areas.
In August 1996, APA hosted a scientific conference for those engaged in gallium nitride research to discuss possible applications of GaN devices. Government agencies, universities and corporations, large and small, were among those participating in this event.
Patents
Fiber Optics Communications
U.S. Patent 5,450,510 - "Wavelength Division Multiplexed Optical Modulator", September 1995
U.S. Patent 4,902,088 - "Integrated Optic Device for Laser Beam Scanning", February 20, 1990
U.S. Patent 4,759,595 - "Integrated Optic Switch", July 1988
Gallium Nitride
U.S. Patent 5,296,395 - "Method of Making a High Electron Mobility Transistor", March 1994
U.S. Patent 5,278,435 - "High Responsivity Ultraviolet Gallium Nitride Detector", January 1994
U.S. Patent 5,192,987 - "High Electron Mobility Transistor with GaN/AlxGal-xN Hetrojunctions", March 1993
U.S. Patent 5,182,670 - "Narrow Band AlGaN Filter", January 1993
U.S. Patent 5,146,465 "Aluminum Gallium Nitride Laser", September 1992
Binary Optics
U.S. Patent applied for "Binary Optics Laser Scanner" February 1993
U.S. Patent 5,477,383 - "Optical Array Method and Apparatus", December 1995
Hologram Technology
U.S. Patent 5,071,210 - "Sandwich Reflector Hologram" December 1991 |
