Source Photonics opens new laser fab and transceiver assembly facility in China

Source Photonics of West Hills, CA, USA (which provides optical connectivity products for data centers, metro and access networks) has confirmed the opening of its new fabrication facility in Jintan, China, to support its global growth, enhancing what is reckoned to be an advantage in the optical communications industry in which most manufacturers are fabless.

The new fab will double the firm’s capacity of indium phosphide (InP) lasers and related components and will augment its existing fab in Hsinchu, Taiwan, which has itself doubled its output over the past three years.

Constituting a total investment of over $50m, the new Jintan fab includes a fully integrated laser chip production capability, high-precision TO operations, and an R&D facility to support the firm’s global technology roadmap and regional customers. Its chip capabilities include base wafer, regrowth and chip processing, while its TO operations will support the requirements emerging for high-speed PON and 5G markets.

This investment follows recent expansions at the facility in Hsinchu, Taiwan (which has over 20 years of experience in laser production) including significant expansion in metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and advanced coating technologies. The Taiwan facility also recently completed expansions to support transceiver assembly in support of customers’ demands for resiliency in their supply chains.

“These new investments support our integrated manufacturing approach, which is critical to meeting the ever-growing needs of our customers,” says CEO Doug Wright. “Managing the entire value chain from laser production through transceiver assembly gives Source Photonics differentiated capability that enhances speed to market, yields manufacturing innovations, and offers flexibility our customers demand,” he adds.

The new facility includes R&D and reliability lab facilities and is fabricated in accordance with the firm’s proprietary Source Management System (SMS), which is built around Lean practices. Environmental controls include a zero-discharge waste treatment capability that meets the highest standards in environmental stewardship, the firm says.