Bookham Launches Amplifier

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Bookham, Inc. (Nasdaq: BKHM) has announced the launch of an ultra-compact small form factor amplifier gainblock that measures 70 x 40 x 7.5mm, and represents a 72 percent volume reduction compared to the MSA standard amplifier gainblock. The MiNi Block™ µ7040 is being sampled to customers and will be generally available in Q4 2008.

The MiNi Block µ7040 amplifier gainblock is primarily targeted at 40Gb/s transport systems in which low-noise optical amplification is required for each channel before the 40Gb/s receiver, and space is at a premium. Due to its low height of 7.5mm, and small footprint, the ultra-compact amplifier can also support 40Gb/s transponder designers looking to integrate optical amplifiers into the standard transponder footprint. The product is enabled by the industry leading Bookham Mini-DIL un-cooled 980nm pump module.

“We see an increasing market for an amplifier of this extremely small size,” said director of product management, Mark Ives. “40Gb/s networks are beginning to see major deployments and we are confident that the per-channel amplification requirement will create a real need for an ultra-compact optical amplification solution. We have been able to achieve this significant size reduction through our packaging expertise and commitment to developing small in-feed products, such as the Mini-DIL 980nm pump.”

Bookham Inc. (Nasdaq: BKHM; London: BHM)