Corning Cranks Up the Power in Pump Lasers.

Business/Technology Editors

Optical Fiber Communications 2002

Booth No. 3021

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

Corning Lasertron introduces new high-power Raman pump laser 

and showcases 1/2 Watt performance for 980 pump lasers

in OFC live demonstration

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) today introduced the new OptiLock(TM) VR2 Raman pump laser from Corning Lasertron. The pump laser provides 300 mW of operating power, and is the first from Corning Lasertron to use the new, fifth generation package known as the Gibraltar 3. The Gibraltar 3 is smaller than the current generation and incorporates the latest chip and cooler technologies.

Corning Lasertron also announced that live demonstrations of a 980nm pump laser that provides up to 500mW of power, and a Raman pump laser providing up to 420mW will be conducted in the Corning booth (#3021), during the Optical Fiber Communications Conference (OFC 2002) in Anaheim CA March 19-22.

"Our objective is to demonstrate how our two product portfolios - 14xx Pump Lasers for use in Raman Gain Modules; and 980 Pump Lasers for use in EDFA Gain Modules - enable cost effective methods of amplifying transmission signals in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) systems," said Eric Musser, president of Corning Lasertron.

Corning Lasertron's new high-power Raman pump laser, the Optilock(TM) VR2, combines high laser diode efficiency, lower power consumption packaging and an extended thermal operating range. These elements enable designers to develop systems with lower overall power consumption and heat dissipation, and more flexibility in environmental conditions. The new pump laser, designed for long- haul and ultra long haul, high-speed, DWDM communication systems, is optimized for high efficiency, and provides up to 300mW of operating power over the life of the product.

"The new 14XX pump significantly enhances our ability to provide high power, highly reliable Raman technology to our customers," Musser added. "It exemplifies how our products drive better economy and performance at the system level."

Corning Lasertron also is introducing a new 980nm pump laser that provides up to 500mW of operating power. The new 980nm chip, called the CLT3.0, was designed to enhance power, efficiency and reliability. It is capable of providing 600mW of kink-free power and 500mW of operating power over the lifetime of the product, -- doubling that of Corning Lasertron's current chip. The chip is manufactured using Corning Lasertron's new precision etch process, providing unprecedented product consistency and performance.

The Optilock(TM) VR2 and both pump product concepts are packaged in Corning Lasertron's new Gibraltar 3 package. This package is epoxy free, flux free, with a getter included in 980 nm pumps, to ensure the highest product reliability. The Gibraltar 3 is optimized for optical amplifier applications with a standard 14-pin butterfly package and a low height profile of 7.82mm.

For more information about Corning Lasertron's Optilock VR 2 or any of the live demonstrations, visit the Corning booth during OFC March 19-22 (booth #3021) or www.corning.com/corninglasertron.

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.