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Aug. 16, 2004 – 4Wave Inc. wants to prove that its small technology is no optical illusion.
Applying a precision technique known as ion sputtering, Sterling, Va.-based 4Wave produces atomically thin films used for making next-generation optical chips. The 4Wave chips integrate four distinct optical filters and a reflective mirror on a flat glass surface.
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The single-chip architecture is the foundation for a miniaturized version of an optical component known as a coarse wave division multiplexer (CWDM). The fabrication process produces coatings of no more than a few nanometers.
Potential customers include optical equipment makers. This especially includes transceiver makers, who are under increasing pressure to miniaturize their components to meet stringent new standards for Ethernet equipment adopted last year by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
4Wave already sells its technology to companies in the magnetic data-storage and semiconductor industries. Sami Antrazi, 4Wave president, lists IBM, Hitachi, Gillette, and Seagate among the firm’s customers.
“We are not known in the optical industry, so we needed to develop a disruptive technology to penetrate the market,” said Antrazi.
Demand for CWDMs is expected to skyrocket as 10GB Ethernet matures. ElectroniCast, a San Mateo, Calif.-based research firm, predicted sales of 10GB Ethernet transceivers to top $9 billion worldwide by 2010.
Massive amounts of unused fiber optic cable lie unused across the country, especially in metropolitan areas. Making use of it, however, is expensive. Cumbersome electronics must be installed, or worse, the cable must be ripped out from the ground. “That’s where we think we can add value,” says Trey Middleton, 4Wave’s business development director.
4Wave patented its fabrication process, known as Bias Target Ion Beam Deposition, helped by a grant of nearly $2 million from the National Institute of Science and Technology.
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies of San Jose, Calif., is using 4Wave’s fabrication method to produce thin films for applications related to magnetic data storage.
“We haven’t taken it into production yet, but we are hoping the system will help us,” said Danielle Mauri, a senior process engineer for Hitachi. “We are studying how it helps us grow smooth layers, which is critical for what we do.” The next step for 4Wave is to refine the process to enable large-scale manufacturing. Ramping up, however, presents different challenges, namely finding investors.
The company’s original plans called for raising capital in 2002, but it’s been tough sledding. Skittish investors are especially shying away from optics-related ventures. “With an infusion of $2 million to $3 million, we could be up and running making these coatings now,” said 4Wave’s Middleton.
Meanwhile, the company continues marketing its system. It posted a profit of $120,000 on revenues of $1.6 million in 2004. All profits were reinvested in the company, said Antrazi.
Company
4Wave Inc.
Headquarters
22977 Eaglewood Court, Suite 120, Sterling Va. 20166
History
Former members of Commonwealth Scientific Corporation (CSC) founded 4Wave in August 2000, shortly after CSC’s acquisition by Veeco Instruments.
Industries potentially served
Capital equipment
Communications: data storage, memory systems
Communications: optical components
Semiconductors
Small tech-related products and services
4Wave holds expertise in ion deposition process technology, serving blue-chip clients through sales of capital equipment as well as engineering, design, and prototyping services. The company’s Bias Target Ion Beam Deposition technique, featuring a proprietary nano-layer engineering process, is used for the manufacture of thin films designed for integration within optical multiplexers. These multiplexers are in turn integrated within optical transceivers in high-speed communications networks.
Management
Trey Middleton, director, business development
Sami Antrazi, president
David Baldwin, vice president, research and development
Michael Minneman, vice president, systems engineering
Financials
4Wave report $120,000 in profit, based on $1.6 million in revenues, for fiscal year 2004. The company has received an NIST grant of almost $2 million, which it used to develop its ion beam deposition technology.
Selected strategic partners and customers
IBM
Hitachi
Gillette
Seagate
Selected competitors
Cressington Scientific Instruments Inc.
Genus Inc. [NASDAQ: GGNS]
Barriers to market
4Wave has a challenge ahead to break into the glutted optical market, which is still climbing out of an economic slump. In addition, the company must also garner additional financing and ramp up its process to allow for large-scale manufacturing.
Relevant patents
System and method for making thin-film structures using a stepped profile mask
Contact
Tel: (703) 787-9283
Fax: (703) 787-9033
Email: [email protected]
Research by Gretchen McNeely