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Lightwave Electronics was founded in 1985 to develop innovative laser systems. Today the company is a premier manufacturer of diode-pumped solid-state continuous wave (CW) and pulsed (Q-switched, and mode-locked) laser systems. The lasers are marketed worldwide for use in a broad range of applications.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recognized a need for new solid-state laser systems that are compact, efficient, and reliable. Lightwave Electronics designed a new laser technology based on laser-diode pumping, rather than lamp-pumped solid-state and gas-discharge lasers. In somewhat simplistic terms, this technology is analogous to replacing vacuum tubes with transistors. Because of their small size, light weight, and minimal input power requirements, these lasers are ideal for use in developing country settings, operating rooms, and battlefield situations. Instead of requiring as much power as an electric clothes dryer needs, these lasers are easily powered by normal household circuits, and even by batteries. These systems also have a wide range of uses in basic research and development, communications, fiber-optic sensing, semiconductor processing, and graphic arts.
Lightwave Electronics has grown from 7 to 135 employees since undertaking its first SBIR project in 1987; every one of the company's products has its roots in the SBIR program. Today, Lightwave has over 4,000 lasers in use, and sales continue to grow rapidly. The company has experienced an annual average growth rate of over 50 percent during the last few years while maintaining positive retained earnings.
One important commercial application is medical, primarily for ophthalmology and dermatology procedures. Being less than one fourth the weight and size, these small portable systems are replacing today's large, power hungry gas laser-based systems. Another important use is in semiconductor process applications, such as improving computer memory repairs and for precise hole drilling for micro-electronic components.
Lightwave Electronics Corporation
2400 Charleston Road
Mountain View, CA 94043
Phone: 650-962-0755
Website: http://www.lwecorp.com
