Corning Adds "Smart" Long Haul EDFAs, Raman Gain Modules, and Economical SOAs to Amplification Solutions Mix.

Business Editors

Optical Fiber Communications 2002

CORNING, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2002

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW), a world leading supplier of optical amplifier modules, announced today it will introduce a collection of new amplification products during the Optical Fiber Communications Conference (OFC 2002 in Anaheim, California, March 19 - 22). These new amplification products are designed to address increasing technical requirements from metro, access and long haul communication networks.

"Amplification is a critical element in lowering the transport cost of optical signals as well as enabling fast provisioning of new communication networks," said Peter Grittner, marketing director Corning Amplification Products. "As optical systems penetrate deeper into the network, it is clear that different types of amplifiers will be required by long haul, metro and access markets. Our approach is to offer a broad product portfolio to meet these diverse needs."

Industry-leading control capability

Corning will introduce at OFC the PureGain(TM) 5500, a long haul/ultra long haul amplifier platform with embedded electronics and software. The PureGain 5500 is available as an EDFA or distributed Raman amplifier, and works in the C-Band or L-Band. It features Corning's leading-edge control capability with rapid transient response for improved BER in dynamic networks. The EDFA offers output power up to 22 dBm and mid-stage access. The Raman gain module packs up to 1000 mW of pump power into the same footprint.

Corning also will introduce the PureGain 5000 at OFC. This platform is similar in optical performance to the PureGain 5500, but offers the slimmest package (12-mm height) in the industry. PureGain 5000 is a platform for long haul EDFAs (including MSA) as well as Raman Pump Modules. Its generous set of electrical interfaces connects to any customer's control system. The amplifiers' standard mechanical platforms enable customers to reduce their design cycle by more than 60-percent, increasing speed to market; avoiding excessive development cost for custom designs; and still accommodating all important customer requirements.

Corning also will introduce the PureGain 5000 at OFC. This platform is similar in optical performance to the PureGain 5500, but offers the slimmest package (12-mm height) in the industry. PureGain 5000 is a platform for long haul EDFAs (including MSA) as well as Raman Pump Modules. Its generous set of electrical interfaces connects to any customer's control system. The amplifiers' standard mechanical platforms enable customers to reduce their design cycle by more than 60-percent, increasing speed to market; avoiding excessive development cost for custom designs; and still accommodating all important customer requirements.

"These products reflect Corning's two-pronged approach to amplifier design," Grittner said. "We continue to develop custom cutting-edge design approaches that lead to lower cost-per-bit for our customers. We have also tapped into our engineering expertise and manufacturing strength to create standard mechanical platforms that reduce design cycle time and development costs."

New amplifier uses advanced semiconductor processing techniques

Corning also will introduce a new semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) that uses advanced semiconductor processing techniques to amplify single or multiple, low-power channels in add-drop or metro applications.

The PureGain 100 SOA incorporates the optical performance necessary for amplification in metro optical networks. It complements the erbium amplifiers in the metro ring to economically promote the build-out of the metro optical layer.

SOAs are much smaller than EDFAs (less than 7% of the footprint size of the smallest EDFA), and thermally efficient. Its low cost potential - much less than any EDFA - promotes the penetration of amplified optical networks closer to the user. Sample production of Corning's new SOA has begun.

Industry leading components part of amplification solutions

At OFC, Corning also will feature its world-class portfolio of variable optical attenuators (VOAs), gain flattening components and pump lasers. Corning Lasertron will showcase 80nm pump lasers from 70mW to 500mW operating power for use in EDFAs, and Raman pumps in powers up to 400mW.

For more information about Corning amplification products, visit the Corning booth during OFC 2002, March 17-22 (booth #3021) or visit www.corning.com /photonictechnologies

Established in 1851, Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) creates leading-edge technologies for the fastest-growing markets of the world's economy. Corning manufactures optical fiber, cable and photonic products for the telecommunications industry; and high-performance displays and components for television, information technology and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning revenues for 2001 were $6.3 billion.