Highlight on Advances in Photonic Integration
SUNNYVALE, CA, Feb 10, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Dr. David F. Welch, co-founder, executive vice president, and chief strategy officer at Infinera (NASDAQ:INFN, news, filings), has been awarded the 2011 John Tyndall Award by The Optical Society (OSA) and IEEE Photonics Society. Welch is being recognized for “seminal contributions to photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and semiconductor lasers deployed in fiber optic communication systems around the world.”
The Tyndall Award recognizes Dr. Welch’s many contributions to the optical communication systems field, including his key role in the development and manufacture of photonic integrated circuits, the development and commercialization of high-power semiconductor lasers, high efficiency Nd:YAG lasers, fiber lasers and amplifiers, and devices associated with non-linear optical materials. In addition, Welch was also heavily involved in the development of materials and fabrication techniques used in semiconductor laser systems.
Dr. Welch co-founded Infinera in 2001. Infinera’s goal was the development of large-scale PICs integrating multiple DWDM channels on a single chip, a vision that was viewed as impossible or impractical by many others in the industry at that time. In 2004, Infinera brought out its first product, the Infinera DTN, a long-haul and metro DWDM optical system based on 100 Gigabit/second (Gbps) PICs. By 2006, Infinera was number one in the long-haul DWDM market in North America according to independent analyst reports. Infinera plans to begin shipping its next generation of PICs, with data capacity of 500 Gbps per chip, in 2012.
Dr. Welch received his BSEE from the University of Delaware and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Cornell University. He then went onto Spectra Diode Labs (SDL) where he worked as a research scientist and eventually vice president of research. As chief technology officer and vice president for corporate development at SDL, he was responsible for the development of laser and optical technologies, as well as the successful execution of six corporate acquisitions. In 2001, SDL and JDS Uniphase merged in what was then the largest technology acquisition ever. Dr. Welch has more than 250 published articles and 125 patents to his name. He received the Adolph Lomb Award from OSA in 1992, the Engineering Achievement Award from LEOS in 1998, and the OSA Joseph Fraunhofer/Robert M. Burley Award in 1999. He is also a fellow of OSA and IEEE, serves on the board of directors of OSA and the board of directors of Infinera.
The Tyndall Award is the highest recognition in the optical telecommunications community and is co-sponsored by OSA and the IEEE Photonics Society. First presented in 1987, the Tyndall Award recognizes an individual who has made pioneering, highly significant, or continuing technical or leadership contributions to fiber optics technology. Corning, Inc. endows the award, a glass sculpture that represents the concept of total internal reflection. The award is named for the 19th century scientist who was the first to demonstrate the phenomenon of internal reflection.
“I’m honored to win the Tyndall award,” said Dr. Welch. “This is a recognition of the achievement of the entire Infinera team, who have developed and commercialized a technology that will have a lasting effect on our industry and communications worldwide.”
Dr. Welch will be presented the award next month during the plenary session of the 2011 Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exposition/National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (OFC/NFOEC) held at the Los Angeles Convention Center March 6 – 10.
About Infinera
Infinera provides Digital Optical Networking systems to telecommunications carriers worldwide. Infinera’s systems are unique in their use of a breakthrough semiconductor technology: the photonic integrated circuit (PIC). Infinera’s systems and PIC technology are designed to provide customers with simpler and more flexible engineering and operations, faster time-to-service, and the ability to rapidly deliver differentiated services without reengineering their optical infrastructure. For more information, please visit http://www.infinera.com/.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to Infinera as of the date hereof; and actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Infinera’s expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipated,” “believed,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would” or similar words. The risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include aggressive business tactics by our competitors, our dependence on a single product, our ability to protect our intellectual property, claims by others that we infringe their intellectual property, and our ability to respond to rapid technological changes, and other risks that may impact any of the group’s business are set forth in their annual reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2010, as well as subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on information available to us as of the date hereof and we disclaim any obligation to update the forward-looking statements included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Media:
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