Nova to Demo Laser, Detector

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Nova Crystals, Inc., a manufacturer of next-generation optical networking components, today announced that they will demonstrate a 75km uncooled isolator-free 2.5Gb/s 1310nm distributed feedback (DFB) laser operating at 85 degrees C, along with the world's first ultra-high gain-bandwidth, very low noise InGaAs-on-Silicon Avalanche Photo Diode(TM) (APD), at the Optical Fiber Conference (OFC) in Anaheim, California, March 19-21, 2002 (Booth #3961). Historically, commercial DFB lasers have not operated at elevated temperatures over long-distances without an assortment of external equipment to enable satisfactory operation. Nova's DFBs are distinguished from the industry's standard DFBs in their operation at elevated temperatures (85 degrees C) without the use of expensive and bulky optical isolators and external cooling devices. The performance benefits of the DFB lasers ultimately reduce costs in transceiver and transponder packaging. The DFB lasers were developed using proprietary laser architectures and novel materials designs. Markets for Nova's DFB lasers include SONET OC-48 and SDH STM-16 telecommunications markets and extended reach datacom/telecom systems for metropolitan and access area optical networks. According to Felix Ejeckam, President and CEO of Nova Crystals, "Our DFB lasers help our datacom customers sell carrier-class boxes to telecom markets, while also enabling telecom transceiver manufacturers to make and sell modules that are cost effective enough for the datacom market." Nova Crystals Inc.For more information on OFC 2002, please visit: www.nottheofc.com