BluGlass doubles value of US CHIPS contracts


Brandon How
Reporter

Sydney-based laser diode manufacturer BluGlass has doubled the value of contracts signed through a United States military semiconductor innovation hub, to develop its technology for quantum computing and artificial intelligence applications.

On Thursday, BluGlass announced to the ASX that it had signed a $2.9 million contract with North Carolina University for visible laser development under the Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (CLAWS) Hub.

The latest contract was signed after BluGlass — the hub’s only non-American member — completed all development milestones under an initial $2.9 million contract for the 2023-24 financial year.

BluGlass chief executive Jim Haden

Wide bandgap semiconductors have higher voltage and temperature capacity than conventional chips, useful for next-generation sensing technology, artificial intelligence and quantum applications.

The CLAWS hub is one of eight the United States Department of Defense’s eight innovation hubs and has received US$39.4 million under the US$2 billion Microelectronics Commons program, a part of the CHIPS and Science Act.

BluGlass says it was selected to join the CLAWS hub based on its ability to “translate research and development to advanced prototyping and commercial production and help facilitate technology translation from ‘lab-to-fab’”.

The other members of the CLAWS hub are US-based Adroit Materials, Cogerent, General Electric, Kyma and Wolfspeed.

BluGlass chief executive Jim Haden said the company is thrilled to continue its partnership with the CLAWS hub, collaborating with “industry leaders to enable ground-breaking advancements in quantum applications”.

“This important program provides non-dilutive funds to advance our laser technology and toolset, and validates our technical and manufacturing capabilities, growing industry reputation and GaN [gallium nitride] laser roadmap,” Mr Haden said.

BluGlass’ GaN blue distributed feedback (DFB) lasers have a unique frequency, beam fidelity, linewidth narrowness, and power that are required to stimulate quantum transitions.

The company secured its first purchase order for a prototype laser with an undisclosed “pioneer in photonic and fiber-based laser technology”, it said in January.

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