Toptica Photonics AG, a German supplier of high-end scientific and industrial laser systems, announced Jan. 30 that it has entered into a "definitive purchase agreement" for a majority stake in Azurlight Systems SAS, a French manufacturer of continuous-wave fiber lasers and amplifiers. The companies did not disclose the purchase price of the deal, which, as a foreign direct investment, is subject to approval by French authorities.

Toptica hopes that the combination of its own tunable diode lasers and Azurlight's high-power fiber amplifiers will open up new possibilities for providing "complete solutions" in several growth markets, particularly quantum technology.

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Azurlight, based in Pessac, France, was founded in 2010 when they introduced a fiber laser that emits blue light. Today, the company's offerings extend to other wavelengths in the infrared and visible, with a particular focus on low-noise, high-performance fiber lasers and amplifiers for physics research and manufacturing. According to Azurlight, its product line is particularly suited for "quantum technology, high-power argon laser substitution, laser Doppler velocimetry, high-brightness laser pumping, laser holography, metrology and interferometry.

Toptica hopes that combining these advantages of Azurlight with its strengths in tunable diode lasers will open up possibilities for products at all power levels and wavelengths from infrared to ultraviolet.

Wilhelm Kaenders, Toptica's founder and member of the Executive Board, envisions "strong co-product development" between Azurlight and Toptica's business units in Germany and the United States. "This will increase our investment in industrial and scientific research, especially in the growing markets of quantum computing, biophotonics and industrial metrology."

Under the acquisition plan, Azurlight will operate as Toptica Photonics SAS and will form the "French hub of the Toptica brand." Nicholas Traynor, founder and president of Azurlight, will continue to serve as the new Nicholas Traynor, founder and president of Azurlight, will continue to serve as president of the new Toptica Photonics SAS, and Juergen Stuhler, currently vice president of quantum technology at Toptica Photonics AG, will become managing director of Toptica Photonics SAS.

Reference links:

https://www.optica-opn.org/home/industry/2023/january/toptica_to_acquire_azurlight_systems/