Avalanche Photodetectors handle fast fiber optic devices.

Press Release Summary:



Rated at 2.5 and 10 Gigabit/sec, InAlAs/InGaAs avalanche photodiodes detect incoming laser light from transmitters, convert light into electrical signals, and amplify signal internally by process known as avalanching, thus enhancing receiver sensitivity. Applications include long-haul and metropolitan optical communications systems.




Original Press Release:


Spectrolab Announces New Avalanche Photodetector Devices for Fiber-Optic Communication Applications


Components Rated at 2.5 and 10 Gigabits/Second Offered

LOS ANGELES, August 27, 2002 -- New 2.5- and 10-gigabit/second InAlAs/InGaAs avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are now available from Spectrolab, Inc., a subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA]. Spectrolab is a full-service foundry offering a portfolio of products, services and device solutions used in optical components and modules of fiber-optic telecommunication systems.

APDs are devices that detect incoming laser light from transmitters, convert that light into electrical signal and amplify that signal internally by a process known as avalanching, thus enhancing the receiver sensitivity. These devices are used by subsystem manufacturers for long-haul and metropolitan optical communications systems.

"Spectrolab is one of the few companies that has mastered the process to produce and offer these types of products, which are challenging to fabricate," said Dr. Nasser Karam, Spectrolab's vice president for Optoelectronic Products. "Our APDs have a unique design that incorporates an avalanche layer made of indium aluminum arsenide (InAlAs), rather than indium phosphide (InP) material. These InAlAs APDs offer low-noise and high-sensitivity."

One of the world's leading manufacturer of space and terrestrial solar cells, panels and arrays, Spectrolab possesses one of the largest MOVPE (Metal Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy) facilities in North America. This state-of-the-art production facility is used for the growth and fabrication of the device structures on which solar cells and optoelectronics components are based. Spectrolab is a leading MOVPE wafer and device fabrication foundry, providing services for optoelectronic products. Spectrolab offers optoelectronic products packaged to customer specifications, and also tests the packages and qualifies them to the fiber-optics industry's Telcordia standards.

Spectrolab, an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, was founded in 1956 and has been a leading supplier of space and terrestrial solar cells, panels, solar simulators and searchlight systems for more than 40 years. Spectrolab is headquartered in Sylmar, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. Visit Spectrolab's web site at www.spectrolab.com.

Spectrolab is a unit of The Boeing Company' Integrated Defense Systems Group, or IDS. IDS is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses headquartered in St. Louis. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business providing systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.

SPECTROLAB, INC.

12500 Gladstone Avenue

Sylmar, CA 91342-5373

Media Contact:

Richard Esposito

(310) 335-6314

richard.esposito@boeing.com

Marketing Contact:

Mike Kalachian

(818) 898-7540

mkalachian@spectrolab.com

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