On behalf of our client, FUJITSU, yet2 announces that the company is seeking to expand new business opportunities and partnerships related to Lithium Niobate Processing. FUJITSU developed modulators to improve LiNbO3 (a.k.a. Lithium Niobate or simply “LN”) processing, design, packaging and manufacturing capabilities (“LN TECHNOLOGY”).
Background
LN is a stable inorganic material. When voltage is applied, its refractive index changes dramatically. This mechanism is critical for enabling proper operation and control of modulators using DC bias voltage. When DC voltage is applied over time, an undesirable phase shift occurs. This phenomenon is known as DC drift.
FUJITSU developed the first modulators to overcome the issue and began mass producing reliable LN modulators. Zero-chirp is required for multi-valued phase modulation using LN. The company further developed low voltage and low loss LN modulators using dry etching technology (RIE) to produce square ridge waveguides and smooth ridge sidewalls. As a result, FUJITSU has become the largest supplier of these high-performance modulators, shipping its one millionth Coherent Lithium-Niobate Modulator earlier this year.
FUJITSU is looking for technology and commercial partners in five areas that it believes offer business growth opportunities:
- Electro-optic (EO) Q switch
- EO modulator
- Optical micro-ring resonator
- Micro Kerr Frequency combs
- Surface acoustic wave sensors and filters (in certain markets).
Technology Description
Process Capability
| Process | ||
| Photo-lithography | Exposure | |
| Resist application | ||
| Resist application and Developing | ||
| Developing | ||
| Deposition | Vapor deposition | |
| Sputter deposition | ||
| Electro gold plating process | ||
| Etching | Wet etching | |
| Dry etching | ||
| Cleaning/ Other | Surface cleaning | |
| Thermal diffusion and Annealing | ||
| Dicing | ||
| Test and Analysis | RF characteristics | |
| Optical characteristics | ||
| Observation | ||
| Inspection | ||
Module Capability
| Process | Equipment |
| PD chip die bonding | Die bonder |
| LN chip and resistance substrate mounting | Auto-mounting machine |
| Au wire bonding | Wire bonder |
| Optical axis alignment | Auto-alignment machine |
| Fixation with adhesive (lens, fiber, etc.) | UV light source |
| Welding (lens, fiber, etc.) | Welder |
| Soldering (fiber sealing) | High-frequency heater |
| Vacuum baking | Vacuum baking oven |
| Lid sealing (parallel seam weld) | Sealing apparatus |
| Annealing | Temperature chamber |
| Test (DC characteristics) | Auto-test machine |
| Test (RF characteristics) | Optical component analyzer |
FAQs
What is the technology and what are its benefits?
- Fujitsu developed the first truly effective LN Modulators and seeks technological and commercial partners to expand lithium niobate processing, design, packaging and manufacturing capabilities.
- Superior reliability: able to meet highly secured legacy carrier network requirements
- Competitive cost: able to realize best mix of specifications among design, process conditions and equipment.
- Large capacity: fully-capitalized to fulfill expected demand; highly experienced, skilled, technically-trained operators to efficiently meet delivery requirements
What problem does this technology solve?
- High bit rates for high performance applications. LN enabled up to 400Gbps solutions earlier than SiP and InP.
Is it unique? What is its key difference vs. other technologies?
- High reliability is the key factor, allowing customers to maintain desired operation of indispensable component lines. Competitors had to withdraw from the market due to their poor performance with drift management issues.
- In addition to this, effectively optimized and used rare optical materials that exceeded supplier specifications. For all the reasons mentioned above, the company’s global market share has steadily grown to more than two-thirds and has achieved costs and capacity around the world that others cannot compete with.
What are the closest competing products / technologies? Who owns them?
- Competing products and technologies: CDM, ITTRA, ICTROSA
- Companies with these products:
- InP Technology – Lumentum, II-VI(Finisar), Neophotonics
- SiP Technology – Acacia, Elenion, Inphi
IP Portfolio
The intellectual property (IP) supporting these FUJITSU technologies is extensive, although some of the basic patents are aging or expired.
FUJITSU has filed multiple additional patents worldwide. FUJITSU also owns proprietary methods and trade secrets, which it uses to offer significant process and product advantages to its partners and customers. In addition to the patent portfolio, FUJITSU possesses other IP and know-how, research methods, process and product development equipment, testing protocols and data, and human capital, all of which make the company and strong partner and supplier.
Partnership Opportunities
FUJITSU is open to a variety of forms of collaboration including joint development, co-marketing, co-manufacturing, technology licensing and asset acquisition.
Company Overview
Fujitsu Optical Components (FOC), located in Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited. For more than 30 years, FOC has been a leader in systems, components, and devices used in the optical communications industry. FOC develops, manufactures and sells the most advanced optical components for 100G & beyond optical networks, including coherent transceivers (CFP DCO, CFP2 ACO), 100G CFP/CFP2 transceivers, 100G QSFP28 transceivers, 100G/400G LN modulators and 100G/400G integrated coherent receivers. They are currently the global leader in producing LN modulators for lithium niobate processing, design, packaging and manufacturing.
Value Proposition
FUJITSU’s strong market position, its technology, capability and manufacturing (assembly and wafer processing) advantages, financial capital, and forward-looking strategy establish the company as an excellent partner for companies seeking to build growth businesses in areas such as electro-optic (EO) Q-switches, high bandwidth, low voltage, and low loss electro-optic EO modulators, optical micro-ring resonators, micro Kerr frequency combs, and surface acoustic wave sensors and filters
Further Information
Additional information covering the FUJITSU’s capabilities and interests and certain other topics not subject to confidentiality requirements can be provided to prospective partners having credible business interests.
Extensive additional information and direct contact with FUJITSU’s key executives and technologists may be made available to qualified interested parties under the provisions of a confidential disclosure agreement.
