Press release: https://www.hamamatsu.com/us/en/news/featured-products_and_technologies/2024/20240531000000.html
Acquisition completion of NKT Photonics. Accelerating growth in the semiconductor, quantum, and medical fields through laser business enhancement.
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (hereinafter referred to as “Hamamatsu Photonics”) is pleased to announce the completion of the previously published acquisition of NKT Photonics A/S (hereinafter referred to as “NKT Photonics”).
NKT Photonics is the leading supplier of high-performance fiber lasers and photonic crystal fibers. Based on their unique fiber technology, the laser products fall within three major product lines:
- Supercontinuum White Light Lasers (SuperK): The SuperK lasers deliver high brightness in a broad spectral range (400 nm-2500 nm), and are used within bio-imaging, semiconductor metrology, and device-characterization.
- Single-Frequency DFB Fiber Lasers (Koheras): The Koheras lasers have extremely high wavelength stability and low noise, and are ideal for fiber sensing, quantum computing, and quantum sensing.
- Ultra-short pulse Lasers (aeroPULSE and Origami): This range of lasers consists of picosecond and femtosecond pulsed lasers with excellent beam quality and stability. The lasers are mainly used within ophthalmic surgery, bio-imaging, and optical processing applications.
The acquisition enables us to combine Hamamatsu Photonics’ detectors and cameras with NKT Photonics' lasers and fibers, thereby offering unique system solutions to the customers.
One special market of interest is the rapidly growing quantum computing area. Here NKT Photonics’ Koheras lasers serve customers with trapped ions systems requiring high power narrow linewidth lasers with extremely high wavelength stability and low noise. The same customers use Hamamatsu Photonics’ high-sensitivity cameras and sensors to detect the quantum state of the qubits. Together, we will be able to provide comprehensive solutions including lasers, detectors, and optical devices for the quantum-technology market.
Another important area of collaboration is the semiconductor market. With the trend toward more complex three-dimensional semiconductor devices, there is an increasing demand for high precision measurement equipment covering a wide range of wavelengths. By combining NKT Photonics' broadband SuperK lasers with Hamamatsu Photonics’ optical sensors and measuring devices, we can supply expanded solutions for semiconductor customers needing broader wavelength coverage, multiple measurement channels, and higher sensitivity.
Finally, in the hyperspectral imaging market, high-brightness light sources with a broad spectral range from visible to near-infrared (400 nm-2500 nm) are essential. Additionally, unlike halogen lamps, since no heat generation occur, the demand for NKT Photonics' SuperK is increasing. We can provide optimal solutions by integrating it with Hamamatsu Photonics’s image sensors and cameras, leveraging the unique compound semiconductor technologies.
With this acquisition, Hamamatsu Photonics Group now possesses a very broad range of technologies within light sources, lasers, and detectors. The combination of NKT Photonics and Hamamatsu Photonics will help us to drive our technology to the next level. NKT Photonics will continue their operating structure and focus on providing superior products and solutions to their customers.