MIDLAND, Mich. -- Dow Corning Corp. announced today that it has launched a new global Photonic Solutions business. This Photonics business takes the advantages of silicon-based materials into the optical domain for next generation high-performance, cost-effective optical applications across multiple market sectors.

Dow Corning is building on its 60 years of leadership in silicon-based materials to establish the new global Photonic Solutions business. The unique properties of silicon-based technology, combined with Dow Corning's extensive experience in the production and packaging of high purity performance materials make it well suited for Photonics applications. In addition, Dow Corning’s capabilities in supply chain management solutions are positioned to serve customers around the world.

Photonics is the technology of generating, guiding and harnessing light for a range of applications extending from communications to information processing. “We are building on a long history of successful silicon-based material applications in Electronic devices, which have proven reliable over a wide range of thermal and environmental conditions. These properties combined with their excellent optical characteristics of stability under high flux and processing flexibility enable high-performance and cost-effective solutions for a broad range of optical applications,” says Babette Pettersen, Director of the Dow Corning Global Photonics Program. “Photonics is an exciting, high-potential, fast-growth field.”

Dow Corning’s Photonic Solutions offering includes advanced silicon-based materials, device technologies and services. “Dow Corning Photonics is working on device technologies, both independently and through partnerships, to provide not only the enabling materials, but also the device integration, supply chains, and services to help customers adopt innovative optical technologies,” adds Pettersen.

Dow Corning silicon-based materials have unique properties that make them well suited for use in optical waveguides and optical data storage solutions, including holography, optical fiber coatings, and high brightness LED packaging.

Dow Corning’s Photonic Solutions provide customers with flexibility and choice. Many of the required optical and mechanical properties can be customized through controlled synthesis to provide cost-effective material and processing options. “We can offer material solutions ranging from fluids and stress-relieving gels for encapsulation to rigid resins for lenses, and can tailor these over a wide range of refractive indices. We combine material properties with processing and design expertise to provide an array of choices for customers,” adds Pettersen.

As with all Dow Corning businesses, Photonics uses the Responsible Care® program as the framework to manage environment, health and safety. Dow Corning has achieved its goal of successfully implementing the Responsible Care codes on environment, health and safety practices. The milestone, reached one year ahead of schedule, is the implementation of the six Responsible Care codes, a voluntary initiative of the worldwide chemical industry that promotes continuous improvement in safety and protection of health and the environment.

Dow Corning Corp.