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February 29th, 2000

Corning Introduces New Transmission Products Designed to Increase Capacity of Long-Haul Communication Networks
Company's applied expertise in optical fiber and photonic technologies
will add bandwidth and drive down cost

CORNING, N.Y. ¾ Worldwide demand for bandwidth, the information-carrying capability that makes high-data-rate applications like the Internet and other advanced communications networks possible, is growing exponentially. Today, Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW), one of the world's leading optical-layer companies, announced the introduction of optical fiber and photonic products that are designed to meet this ever-increasing demand. Corning's latest product offerings for both terrestrial and undersea applications, will extend the reach, increase the bandwidth and reduce the overall system cost of ultrahigh-capacity networks.
With the latest in advanced optical-fiber designs, amplifiers, multiplexers, optical switches and filters, Corning is utilizing its expertise in optics and photonics to meet the long-haul requirements of its customers. Corning's long-haul solutions will be presented at the Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) Conference 2000, a major optical fiber and optical communications show being held at the Convention Center in Baltimore, Md., Mar. 5-10, 2000. (Exhibit #933). Highlights include a long-haul system testbed demonstrating a new approach to optical amplification on Corning® LEAF® optical fiber.
"We are utilizing our understanding of high-capacity optical fiber and photonic devices to provide long-haul solutions for our customers," said Wendell Weeks, executive vice-president, Opto-Electronics. "Corning's world-leading position in optical fibers and amplifiers provides unique insight into the development of new transmission fibers, Raman amplifiers and other critical elements of the optical layer."
Extending the Reach of the Network
Corning scientists have built an integrated Raman and PureGainT EDFA prototype that transmits over LEAF fiber, enabling dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) signals to travel at least six times farther than is currently possible. Corning LEAF fiber is the telecommunications industry's fiber of choice for long-haul, high-data-rate applications.
Being able to extend the reach of the network to longer distances reduces the need to regenerate the signal from optical, to electrical and back to optical, dramatically reducing overall system cost. In addition to the Raman and PureGainT EDFA prototype, CorningLasertron will display its new Raman pump module at the show. These modules provide high-output power at the wavelengths required for Raman amplification.
Additional Corning products that make up its long haul solution include:
Corning Submarine Fibers Provide a Depth of Solutions
Corning is introducing a line of submarine optical fibers that will allow carriers to optimize the performance of their ultra-high-capacity networks in the high-pressure environment of undersea transmission systems. Submarine LEAF®+ optical fiber, Submarine SMF-LST+ optical fiber and Submarine SMF-28T+ optical fiber are three fibers specifically designed for use in undersea networks. Engineered to work separately or in combination, each fiber has optical properties that complement one another and perform optimally in DWDM systems operating in the 1530nm - 1565nm window.
Adding Bandwidth Through Wavelength Management
Corning is also presenting a series of products that will help system operators increase the bandwidth capacity of their networks through wavelength or channel management.
Corning's PurePathT Wavelength Modular Switch, a reconfigurable optical add/drop module is capable of individually adding or dropping specific wavelengths at 100GHz or 200GHz without any interruption of through traffic. The module, which has both metro and long-haul applications, will be demonstrated at Corning's booth.
Corning's DWDM Interleaver filtering technology has lead to the development of a micro-optics-based interleaver filter, which provides a proven, scaleable and cost-effective way to double (100Ghz - 50GHz) or quadruple (200GHz - 50GHz) the available channel count for a given wavelength range in both metropolitan and long-haul DWDM systems.
Detailed information about products and technologies being introduced will be available at OFC or by visiting www.corningfiber.com and www.corningphotonics.com.
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 and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning's revenues in 1999 were $4.3 billion. More information on Corning optical fiber is available at www.corningfiber.com.

 

February 28th, 2000

Iridian Spectral Technologies announces production
and shipment of 100GHz Solid Etalon Filters

Iridian Spectral Technologies, a manufacturer of thin film filters for the fiber optic telecommunications market, has announced the production and shipment of 100 GHz Solid Etalon Filters.
Iridian Spectral Technologies will be introducing Solid Etalon Filters at OFC 2000 in Baltimore.   Iridian's in stock solid etalon filters are designed to produce 100 GHz spacings in the spectrum, are of the order of 1mm thick and are diced to meet customer requirements in the lateral dimensions. 
For more information about Iridian Spectral Technologies products or capabilities visit www.iridian.ca or visit booth #3050 at OFC or contact Peter Dawson directly at (613) 741-4513 or via Email at Peter.Dawson@iridian.ca

 

February 18th, 2000

Corning Puts Specialty Fiber Sales Online
New e-commerce-enabled web pages allow Corning customers to conduct specialty optical fiber business over the Internet

CORNING, N.Y., January 31, 2000 - Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) announced today e-commerce-enabled web pages that allow component manufacturers, network designers, and universities to purchase PureMode™ Engineered Fibers over the Internet. The enhancement to Corning Photonic Technologies Division’s website at www.corningphotonics.com, marks the first time Corning products will be made available via e-commerce.
PureMode Engineered Fibers play an integral role in many high-performance optical communication devices including dense wavelength division multiplexers (DWDM), optical amplifiers and transmission lasers. Demand for these and other devices is increasing dramatically due to the accelerating demand for more bandwidth which can be satisfied only with photonic networking equipment transmitting signals at high data rates (10 Gb/s and faster).
The new web pages provide a simple, step-by-step process to select and purchase PureMode Engineered Fiber. An online catalog lists fiber specifications and pricing information. All orders are assigned a tracing number for online tracking.
"This site, a first of its kind in the specialty fiber marketplace, is part of Corning’s continuing effort to be more responsive in addressing the fast-growing demand for top-quality, highly-consistent engineered fiber," said Michael Toro, product line manager for Corning PureMode™ Engineered Fiber, Photonic Technologies Division. "Four months ago, we announced the general availability of erbium-doped optical fiber to equipment manufacturers – now we’re making access to our products even easier."
Products available through the new site include:
   ·  PureMode Er 1550C fiber
   ·  PureMode HI 980 fiber, HI 780, and HI 1060 fiber
   ·  PureMode PM 630, PM 850, PM 980, PM 1300, and PM 1550 fiber
   ·  PureMode RC 1300 and RC 1550 fiber
An interactive demonstration of the new website will be on display at Corning’s booth (#933) at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) in Baltimore, MD, March 6-9.
About Corning
Established in 1851, Corning Incorporated 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 and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning’s revenues in 1999 were $4.3 billion. More information on the company is available at www.corning.com.

 

February 18th, 2000

IPhotonics offers custom, passive, active and hybrid optical module assembly from rapid prototyping to high volume production. IPhotonics offers ultra low loss terminations (random mated), fusion splicing for standard, polarization maintaining, erbium doped and specialty fibers. IPhotonics specializes in automated module testing, component selection, optical module assembly and design for manufacturability. IPhotonics is your outsourcing partner for fiber optic module assembly and test, supporting turn-key, and build-to-print.
 iPhotonics
890-119 Airport Park Road
Glen Burnie, MD 21601
Phone: 410-590-0320
Contact - Moez Adatia, V.P.Sales
info@iphotonics.com
www.iphotonics.com

 

February 16th, 2000


High Intensity Optical Power Meters

The 771RH (single channel), 772RH (dual channel) and 773RH (triple channel) optical power meters are based on a proven 2mm indium-gallium-arsenide (InGaAs) photodetector manufactured for RIFOCS Corp. Offering an extended measurement range, from +27dBm to -60dBm, all three of the optical power meters are ideal for testing DWDM transmission systems, CATV systems, and high power output devices such as EDFA amplifiers and pump lasers.
The 771RH, 772RH and 773RH are available at $2050, $3075 and $3795 USD, respectively.
Contact RIFOCS Corporation, 1340 Flynn Road, Camarillo, CA 93012 USA, call +1.805.389.9800, email sales@rifocs.com or visit www.rifocs.com.

 

 

February 15th, 2000

Corning To Acquire Photonics Technology Research Center
from British Telecommunications
Move will further strengthen Corning’s position as a world leader in optical networking development

CORNING, N.Y. - Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) today announced that it will work with British Telecommunications (BT) as a research partner in photonics technology and in the process has acquired BT’s Photonics Technology Research Center (PTRC), for approximately $66 million. The PTRC, located at BT’s Adastral Park, Martlesham, Suffolk, UK, is considered one of the world’s pre-eminent photonic research facilities.
According to Corning’s Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President for Science and Technology, Charles W. Deneka, the integration of the PTRC research portfolio into Corning’s technology and product roadmaps is expected to lead to the commercialization of new products in the near-term and will strengthen research on the next generation of photonic components and network devices.
"The synergy derived from the work being conducted at the PTRC with that at Corning Lasertron, an industry leader in laser manufacturing, will further advance Corning’s rapid development and manufacture of low cost lasers and packaging for use in optical amplifiers." Deneka said. "The research and development of planar integrated optics, semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), electro-absorption modulators (EAMs) and optical networking devices (ONDs) underway at the Center offer excellent opportunities for us to deliver new products to our current businesses, and at the same time augment our other internal product development efforts. Additionally, we are pleased that we have been able establish a working presence at BT’s world-renowned Adastral Park research and development center."
Corning’s acquisition of the PTRC furthers the company’s global strategy of becoming a leading "optical layer" company ¾ an integrated supplier of a broad range of optical and photonic products that are critical to the development and eventual deployment of the all optical network.
Over the past 15 years BT has invested more than $300 million in optical component technology and optical systems research and in the process has amassed a significant intellectual property portfolio. As part of the acquisition Corning and BT have agreed to leverage this research technology and advance it toward commercial viability. In addition to the PTRC’s team of researchers and its physical assets, Corning is also acquiring licenses to 20 patent "families" covering photonic networking technologies, including modulators, amplifiers and lasers.
The ongoing operating costs of this acquisition are not expected to increase Corning’s overall research and development spending as a percent of sales. A portion of the purchase price relates to in-process research and development, which will be expensed in the first quarter 2000, resulting in an after tax charge of approximately $20-30 million.
British Telecommunications plc is one of the world's leading providers of telecommunications services. Its principal activities include local, long distance and international telecommunications services, mobile communications, Internet services and IT solutions. BT is expanding its presence overseas rapidly and has operations in more than 30 countries worldwide, with ventures in the Republic of Ireland, France, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, New Zealand, Japan,
Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Latin America and India. BT is also part owner of Concert, the leading global telecommunications company serving multi-national business customers, international carriers and Internet service providers worldwide.
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 and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning’s revenues in 1999 were $4.3 billion.

 

February 14th, 2000

Corning and Samsung Form Equity Venture Company To Mass Produce Optical-Networking Products
New company will automate production of DWDM components

CORNING, N.Y. - Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) and Samsung Electronics announced today that they have formed a new equity-venture company to mass- produce micro-optic products used to expand the capacity of the Internet. The new company, Samsung Corning Micro-Optics, will manufacture dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) packaged components using revolutionary robotics and other automation developed by Samsung in key manufacturing steps currently done manually. As a result, the company expects enormous benefits in capacity, reproducibility, unit cost and reduced cycle time. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Samsung Corning Micro-Optics will be located in an existing Samsung facility near Seoul in Suwon, South Korea. With its component packaging capability the company will substantially expand Corning’s DWDM business and will serve as a new source of high-quality, low-cost components to its erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) module business. Volume manufacturing is expected by mid-2000."Through this equity venture, Corning and Samsung are employing their collective strengths to capitalize on the rapidly growing global telecommunications market," said Ki Ryong Song, chief executive officer of Samsung Corning Micro-Optics. "Together, Samsung’s expertise in dynamic automated manufacturing systems and Corning’s leadership in state-of-the-art photonic products will allow the market to benefit from a high-quality, low-cost supply of optical components and modules."Samsung Corning Micro-Optics is expected to be a powerful entrant into the high growth DWDM market. The packaging capacity added by this new venture will be facilitated by thin film filters supplied from Corning’s operation in Marlborough, MA.Corning recently said it will increase thin film manufacturing ten fold in Marlborough by year-end 2000.
[Corning also expects to supply its new venture with thin film filters produced by OFC, a subsidiary of NetOptix Corporation of Sturbridge, MA. Corning today announced that it had reached an agreement to acquire NetOptix for approximately $2 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter 2000.]
Samsung Corning Micro-Optics will also become a supplier of passive optical components for Corning’s EDFA module business. The automated manufacturing equipment designed for, and installed in, the Suwon facility represents a new standard in high-volume, automated technology for these products in the industry."Samsung Corning Micro-Optics is an important piece of Corning’s telecommunications strategy," said Gerald J. Fine, vice president and general manager of Corning’s Photonic Technologies Division. "The ability to marry our micro-optic filter technology with Samsung’s world-class, high-volume packaging technology will allow Corning to build our global leadership position in photonic products."Market analysts have estimated that the worldwide market for DWDM components is expected to grow from $300 million in 1999 to $600 million this year, and to $1 billion in 2001.
The establishment of Samsung Corning Micro-Optics is the third major joint venture between the Samsung Group and Corning Incorporated, which originated with the Samsung-Corning Company Ltd., established in South Korea in 1973.
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 and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning’s revenues in 1999 were $4.3 billion.

 

February 14th, 2000

Corning to Acquire NetOptix, a Manufacturer of Optical Filters for $2 Billion
Acquisition will supply thin film optical filters to new equity venture,
Samsung Corning Micro-Optics

Moves are major steps toward strengthening company’s position as a leading supplier of optical-networking products and increasing manufacturing capability

CORNING, N.Y. - Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) announced today that it has agreed to acquire NetOptix Corporation (Nasdaq: OPTX) of Sturbridge, MA, a manufacturer of thin film filters for use in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) components, for approximately $2 billion in stock. In a related announcement, the company made public that it has formed an equity venture, Samsung Corning Micro-Optics to package thin film filters for DWDM components used in telecommunications systems. These initiatives are major steps toward strengthening Corning’s position as an industry-leading supplier of optical networking devices, and an integral contributor to the advancement of the optical layer.
Under the terms of the acquisition, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, Corning will exchange .90 shares of Corning common stock for each share of NetOptix common stock. Based on the closing price for Corning on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, February 11, 2000, the transaction would be valued at approximately $2 billion. The acquisition, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2000, is subject to customary regulatory approvals and the approval of NetOptix shareholders. The transaction will be accounted for as a purchase and excluding the amortization of goodwill and other acquired intangible assets, is expected to be mildly dilutive to Corning’s earnings per share in 2000 and accretive in 2001 and thereafter.
According to Corning’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Roger G. Ackerman,
"today’s announcements are clear indications that the company intends to continue to strengthen its position as a global leader in optical communications. "Market demand for optical networking products is expanding at an incredible rate," Ackerman said. "The market for DWDM components, in particular, will double this year. The acquisition of NetOptix will help Corning capitalize on this growing market opportunity."
Ackerman continued by saying, "NetOptix’s filter coating technology and the unique enhancements they’ve made to their manufacturing processes have enabled them to achieve significant productivity and yield levels. When we combine NetOptix’s output with that from our Marlborough operation we will have greatly increased our thin film filter capacity. These filters will feed Samsung Corning Micro-Optics, a company tooled with revolutionary robotics and automation to mass produce packaged DWDM components. The combination of greater capacity and automated production will greatly enhance Corning’s ability to serve the needs of our customers."
According to Gerald J. Fine, vice president and general manager of Corning’s Photonic Technologies Division, the company intends to leverage the synergy that exists between its current operations and NetOptix. "Success in this market is predicated on speed and a demonstrated capability to supply. Our customers are demanding these products today. The NetOptix solution allows us to meet this significant demand in the timing that the market requires," Fine said. "Additionally, NetOptix has a growing portfolio of customers for their thin film filter products and we expect the company to continue to supply those customers."
NetOptix Corporation is headquartered in Sturbridge Massachusetts. Its subsidiaries Optical Filter Corporation and OFC GmbH design, manufacture and market optical filters for DWDM applications in fiber optic networks. OFC has an optical filter manufacturing facility in Natick, MA and a diamond turning facility in Keene, NH. OFC GmbH is completing a facility in Hanau, Germany for optical filter technology, research and development as well as the commercial production of DWDM filters. More information on the company is available at www.netoptix.com.
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 and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning’s revenues for 1999 were $4.3 billion.
Corning and NetOptix will file a proxy statement/prospectus describing the merger with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, Corning and NetOptix will file other information and documents concerning the merger and their business with the SEC. WE URGE INVESTORS IN THE COMMON STOCK OF NETOPTIX AND CORNING TO REVIEW THE PROXY STATEMENT/ PROSPECTUS AND OTHER INFORMATION TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. These documents will be available without charge on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and may be obtained without charge from the Corporate Secretary, Corning Incorporated, One River Front Plaza, Corning, NY 14831 (telephone number 607-974-9000) or the Chief Financial Officer, NetOptix Corporation, Sturbridge Business Park, Sturbridge, MA 01566 (telephone number 561-994-0202). INVESTORS SHOULD READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISIONS

 

February 9th, 2000

Red Hawk/CDT introduces eoLink™ A New line of
High Performance Fiber Optic Wavelength Media Converters

eoLink™ fiber optic wavelength converters go the distance by offering speeds up to 2 Gigabits per second and to distances in excess of 40 kilometers without a repeater. All popular network configurations are supported as well as network standard short haul and long haul optical fiber.
The new wavelength media converters enable the bi-directional conversion of optical signals from Wide Area Network (WAN) to Local Area Network(LAN) and from LAN to WAN. For more information visit Red Hawk's website at www.red-hawk.com



February 9th
, 2000


New WDM & Coupler Cassette from Optronics EYT

The Greek company OPTRONICS EYT recently expanded the family of products exclusively for fiber optic networks, called Fiber-Net to cover the increasing demand for preventive maintenance to high speed fiber optic networks for telecomm and datacomm applications.
The application coves fiber optic cable monitoring systems using WDM cassettes that combine 1310 and 1550 nm in the signal channel and 1625 nm (monitoring wavelength of the OTDR) in the monitor channel.
Users do not have to choose different types of cassettes according to the operating wavelength since both 1310 and 1550 will operate with only 0.4 dB insertion loss and 40-50 dB isolation to 1625nm. Special fiber optic filters are used so to have extra 30 dB isolation in the signal channel and avoid 1625nm interference with the transmission equipment used.
All fibers are terminated with SC/APC connectors and adaptors or other type as FC/PC, SC, E2000, DIN, SCII.
For campus multimode fiber networks the cassettes used are 1X2 WDM, and 2X1 WDDM to by-pass nodes and continue monitoring larger cables lenghts from one central site.
The cassettes are accomodated to modular type panels as MFP that is 3U 19 inches (185 mm depth) rack mounted and allows for up to 12 cassettes to be accommodated for expansion of fiber optic networks using new cables.
For more information please contact OPTRONICS EYT, 222 El. Venizelou str, 175 63 Athens, GREECE tel. +30-1-9837121, +30-1-9886041 fax +30-1-9834814, e-mail sales@optronics.gr asking for the WDM cassettes and MFP panels.

 

February 8th, 2000


Microwave Photonics Systems Inc. releases
CATV OPTICAL DROP CABLE Model: MPS-2000

The MPS-2000, Optical Drop Cable, is a preconnectorized assembly that is used to connect between a fiber-feeder splice point and an optical receiver node. The optical drop cable comes fully assembled and consists of a 5/8" -24 feedthru adapter, optical cable, strain relief housing, fiber breakout tubing and optical connectors. This product can be tailored by the customer with a variety of optical cable types, fiber counts and connector styles.

Features

Benefits

   · Stainless Steel Feedthru
   · Water Blocked Design
   · Cable Pull-Out Force > 450 lbs
   · Custom Configurations Available
· Eliminates Cable Splicing at the Node
· Reduces Installation Costs
· Offers Compact Cable Storage

 

February 4th, 2000


Sensors Unlimited, Inc.’s High Resolution DWDM Photodiode Array

PRINCETON, NJ – February 4, 2000 – Sensors Unlimited, Inc., a high-tech company specializing in telecommunication components and near infrared indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) based imaging products, proudly introduces the LY Series Linear InGaAs Photodiode Array. Based on a proprietary design, low noise CMOS multiplexer, the LY array has 512 pixels on 25 µm pitch, ideal for 25GHz and 50GHz DWDM spectral monitoring systems. InGaAs spectral responses of 0.9 µm to 1.7 µm and 1.2 µm to 2.2 µm are available in several pixel heights.
Winner of NJTC’s "1999 Electronics Company of the Year Award" and ranked in the NJ "Fast 50," Sensors Unlimited, Inc. is a privately held optoelectronics manufacturing and research company for telecommunications, photonic and near infrared imaging devices. 
For more information visit Sensors Unlimited Inc. website at www.sensorsinc.com

 

February 1st, 2000

Telenor and Altitun Team up on "All-optical" Network Trial
Tunable Lasers Drive "Switchless" Mesh DWDM Network

Irvine, CA-January 24, 2000-Altitun Inc., the leading supplier of tunable lasers to the telecommunications industry, and Norwegian carrier Telenor AS, today announced that they have successfully demonstrated a tunable laser driven, all-optical, dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network.  The demonstration was the culmination of a two-year project that resulted in a 100-channel "switchless" mesh network based on laser technology from Altitun, Marconi, and NTT.  The result was a vote of confidence for tunable lasers, and for the role the technology is expected to play in the evolution of all-optical networks.