Intel Acquires Sparkolor

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Sparkolor Corporation, a developer of tunable optical networking components and modules, today announced that it has completed the sale of its Planar Hybrid Integration (PHI) technology to Intel Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, which was finalized on September 4, Intel has acquired substantially all of Sparkolor's assets and intellectual property, along with certain key personnel. Sparkolor's PHI technology lowers the cost and increases the functionality of optical components telecommunications and data communications applications by allowing multiple functions to be combined onto one chip in an automated fashion. This breakthrough technology will allow optical chips to approach the cost efficiencies currently enjoyed by integrated electronic chips. PHI allows various materials, such as silica, InP and various polymers, to be combined onto one silicon chip. This means that best-of-breed characteristics for each of these materials can now be combined into one extremely compact and highly functional chip. Moreover, the silicon-based fabrication techniques mean that yields are high and costs are extremely low. "Sparkolor's PHI technology dramatically improves the economics of manufacturing optical components and subsystems. PHI is particularly well-suited to the next generation of dynamic optical components," said Max Straube, Optical Capital Group (OCG), a Sparkolor investor. "OCG remains focused on identifying and working with companies that have demonstrated breakthrough technology and the potential for market leadership across the communications industry." Sparkolor's employees and assets are being transferred from Sparkolor's current facility in Santa Clara, CA to Intel's Photonic Technology Operation in San Jose, CA. Intel Corp. Sparkolor Corp.