Laser Components, SemiNex Begin New Partnership

For more information, contact:
Neal Stoker
VP Sales and Marketing
SemiNex Corporation
978-326-7703

Laser Components, SemiNex Begin New Partnership

CHELSMFORD, England, Oct. 4, 2010 – Laser Components (UK) Ltd. announced a distribution partnership with Peabody, Mass.-based SemiNex Corp, a diode laser supplier.  The UK company will deliver the US-based company’s long-wavelength high-power laser diodes at 14xx and 15xx wavelengths. Standard wavelengths are 1450-, 1470-, 1535- and 1550 nm, with output power per single-chip as high as 6 W.  Available in standard packaging, the chips include a compact fiber-coupled module, C-, B- or sub-mount.  For improved reliability at high operating power, engineers have developed “Laser Engine,” which uses a high-power single-emitter laser in a low-cost packaging with radial heat sink and fan. 

Laser Components manufacture components and services for the laser and optoelectronics industries.  For more information, visit: www.lasercomponents.co.uk 

SemiNex Introduces Four Watt Fiber-Coupled Laser Diode at multiple new wavelengths

For more information, contact:
Neal Stoker
VP Sales and Marketing
SemiNex Corporation
978-326-7703

SemiNex Introduces Four Watt Fiber-Coupled Laser Diode at 1450nm, 1470nm, 1532nm, and 1550nm

Peabody, MA, July 7, 2010 – SemiNex Corporation introduces the 4-Pin Fiber-Coupled Diode Laser, a high-powered, low-cost device used for medical and military applications. The 4-Pin Diode Laser is most notable for its high slope efficiency, high power, small packaging and high volume availability.

The 4-pin diode is available in wavelengths of 1450nm, 1470 nm, 1532 nm, or 1550 nm. These wavelengths are considered more safe for the human eye and are used by the aerospace, communications, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), military and medical industries.

SemiNex offers up to 5W CW optical power in a single emitter fiber-coupled package. It is available in a 4-pin package as well as a High-Heat-Load (HHL) version; both packages offer a back-facet photodiode monitor and 105µm/125µm 0.22 NA optical fiber. Standard wavelengths include 1450 nm, 1470nm, 1532nm and 1550nm. Custom wavelengths between 1300nm and 1700nm are possible. The 4-pin package’s high slope efficiency of 50% W/A lowers the typical electrical and cooling system requirements, enabling designers to engineer smaller laser systems at reduced costs.

“Lasers are revolutionizing the industries we have come to depend upon. In the medical industry, lasers are making surgery less invasive and are providing alternatives to the painful cosmetic modifications that are so prevalent in our society,” says SemiNex President, David Bean. “It will be interesting to see what new solutions appear in the near future,” adds John Callahan, the SemiNex’s Head of Development, “The advent of these inexpensive and powerful lasers has enabled innovations from the military involving long-range artillery targeting and broader use of lasers in medical applications.”

The 4-pin fiber-coupled laser can also be purchased in modular form with three to seven diodes in one package. The module can provide up to 25 watts of power with a conversion efficiency of 30% watts/amp. The diodes’ outputs are combined into a fiber bundle equipped with a 650 nm aiming beam. Other infrared wavelengths in the 1300nm to 1600nm range are available upon request.

For additional information on the 4-Pin fiber-coupled diode laser, contact Ed McIntyre at emcintyre@seminex.com or see the specifications sheet on the products page.

SemiNex announces Edward McIntyre as its new Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Peabody, MA, May 19, 2010 – SemiNex Corporation, a high power semiconductor laser manufacturer announced the appointment of Ed McIntyre as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. 

Ed started his laser and optics sales career at Ortel Corporation back in 1990 responsible for CATV and Satcom for the Eastern US.  In 1998 Ed joined Multilink Technology Corporation as Director of Worldwide Sales increasing sales from $4 million to $135 million in three years promoting telecommunication products.  In 2002 Ed went to PD-LD, Inc. as Director of Marketing to help promote and cultivate new applications for Volume Bragg Gratings to be used on high power lasers in the defense and medical markets. 

In 2006 he became Director of North American Sales for QPC Lasers, Inc. growing the business 3X each year.  In 2008 Ed joined Sheaumann Lasers as Vice President of Sales.

“We are excited to have Ed join our team as we continue to grow our business in the consumer, medical and defense markets,” said David Bean, CEO of SemiNex.  “With Ed’s proven track record of 20 years experience in sales, we anticipate a very exciting year for our company.”

“I am excited to take on this new role,” said McIntyre.  “With the continued growth of applications for eye-safer, high power, semiconductor lasers, I am happy to join this great team focused on providing high efficient, low cost lasers in the 1300nm to 1700nm regime.”

SemiNex introduces 25 watt multi-chip laser module at 14xx & 15xx

For more information, contact:
Neal Stoker
VP Sales and Marketing
SemiNex Corporation
978-326-7703

SEMINEX INTRODUCES 25 WATT MULTI-CHIP LASER MODULE AT 14XX & 15XX

Peabody, MA, April 15, 2010 – SemiNex Corporation introduces a family of fiber-coupled multi-chip laser diode modules with output power up to 25 watts at 1470, 1532, and 1550 nm wavelengths.   The multi-chip module provides a ready-to-integrate solution for medical, military/aerospace, communications, and LIDAR laser applications that require 10 to 25 watts of power.

The module features a power conversion efficiency of 30% watts/amp, reducing electrical and thermal system requirements.  It is configured with 3 to 7 diodes whose output is combined into a fiber bundle and is equipped with a 650 nm wavelength aiming beam.  Other infrared wavelengths in the 1300 to 1600 nm range are available upon request.

SemiNex introduces 25 watt multi-chip laser module at 14xx & 15xx

Peabody, MA, April 15, 2010 – SemiNex Corporation introduces a family of fiber-coupled multi-chip laser diode modules with output power up to 25 watts at 1470, 1532, and 1550 nm wavelengths.   The multi-chip module provides a ready-to-integrate solution for medical, military/aerospace, communications, and LIDAR laser applications that require 10 to 25 watts of power.

The module features a power conversion efficiency of 30% watts/amp, reducing electrical and thermal system requirements.  It is configured with 3 to 7 diodes whose output is combined into a fiber bundle and is equipped with a 650 nm wavelength aiming beam.  Other infrared wavelengths in the 1300 to 1600 nm range are available upon request.

About SemiNex


SemiNex Corporation aims to fundamentally transform key industries by displacing conventional laser technology with super-high-power semiconductor diode lasers.  SemiNex enables cost-effective laser applications by providing better semiconductor laser performance and efficiency while drastically reducing the laser size and power consumption.  This enables lasers to be used more broadly in high-volume applications for medical, military and free space optical communications systems. For more information, see www.seminex.com or contact David Bean at dbean@seminex.com.

Boston Herald

By Jennifer Heldt Powell
Boston Herald Business Reporter

I confess that, although I know business gurus say a good business is built on a solid business plan, I’m still working on mine.

I’ve thought about it, talked about it and even written a draft or two. But I’m busy. I have a business to run. I don’t have time to just sit and plan.

Maybe the potential of winning $5,000 or more could provide an incentive.

There are dozens of business plan competitions to provide motivation for those who have yet to do what business planners say should be the first step in starting a business. Who couldn’t use some extra cash? But these contests have more to offer than the prize money.

“It forces you to put together a good business plan,” said John Rainey, senior business adviser for Clark University’s Small Business Development Center. “And it’s an opportunity to have other people look at it and give you input. With most contests, there are several stages. The first one is usually a simple review of the written plans.

At later stages, entrepreneurs typically make presentations to judges, who often include investors and other business experts.

“The prize money itself isn’t the goal,” said Christine Sullivan, executive director of the Enterprise Center at Salem State College, who launched a competition for North Shore businesses three years ago. “It’s to get your plan showcased in front of a lot of people who are influential and can get your business to the next level.”

It worked for David Bean, chief of SemiNex Corp, who won Salem State’s first competition. One of the people he met through the contest recently became a major investor in the high-power semiconductor laser business. Now, Bean is ready to move ahead with the plan that won the competition. He plans to hire 100 people in the next five years.

Bean wasn’t looking to win the $5,000 prize money when he entered the contest.

It was more about networking and being a part of the local North Shore Business Community, he said.

The bragging rights and the publicity he got as a finalist, and then as a winner, were a nice bonus.

The key to winning business competitions is having a solid plan.

You have to have a good product or service.

You have to know your market.

You have to show that you know how to meet the demands of that market.

You also have to show that you have a good management team with the experience to carry through with the plan.

You have to be able to present that plan well both in written form and as a live presentation.

At the very least, it’s good practice even if you don’t win.

You can find out about competitions through business organizations, local universities and even Internet listings. Some are open to anyone, while others are limited to certain types of businesses or categories of business.

Use caution, Rainey advises. Make sure the contest is offered by a reputable organization that will take steps to protect your privacy. Also make sure you have protected yourself with the appropriate copyrights and trademarks.

Salem News – Sacrifices for Success

By Christina Torode
Staff writer – Salem News


As local entrepreneurs wait to hear if their business plans pass muster with judges of this year’s North Shore Business Plan Competition, the winners of last year’s competition have a few words of advice:


Be prepared to sacrifice … big time.


Since winning the $5,000 first prize in the 2005 competition last May, SemiNex’s founder and president David Bean has gone without a salary for the past year with startup costs for his semiconductor laser technology business estimated at around $200,000.


Custom Medicine Pharmacenter co-owners William and Mary Beckman, who took the $2,000 third prize, have also scraped by, forgoing salaries and spending $250,000 on the buildout of their compounding lab in Beverly.


BioPoint Solutions, the Danvers software company that landed the $3,000 second prize, followed a similar path. “We came up with $200,000 to spend on product development and legal fees associated with starting a business and that amount just let us scrape by,” said Doug Brown, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of BioPoint. “For anyone starting out in the technology space we’re in, I would tell them that they need at least $400,000 to $500,00 to really get your business going.”


But along with the financial struggles over the last year came significant milestones for each of the startups.


SemiNex Corp. emerges from stealth mode
The Middleton company won last year’s coveted prize, then went underground. Last week, however, SemiNex came out of stealth mode with a new Web site and some major customer wins.


SemiNex, which makes pencil-eraser-sized semiconductor chips used to power lasers, promoted its technology during the business plan competition for cosmetic use in lasers to reduce wrinkles and acne, but since then the company has developed several applications for its product.


SemiNex’s first deal was with a medical customer. Recently, the military came calling.


“In both cases, I can’t name the customer or how they’re using our chips, but our technology can be used in laser radars used by the military and there are people interested in using our technology in free space communications where laser light is used to communicate between towers on buildings, for example,” said Bean, president of SemiNex. The technology can also be used in laser targeting and guidance systems, according to SemiNex’s Web site.


The company recently shipped hundreds of units of its chips to the medical industry and military customers, but it took a year’s worth of development and related manufacturing costs funded by Bean and co-founders Dan Pulver, director of engineering, and Don Freeman.


“The investment community is a lot slower to invest than we had hoped and that forced us to bootstrap the operation and really hunker down and focus on development and improving the product,” said Bean. “In that process we’ve been able to increase the power of the laser two to five times over competitors’ (products) and therefore reduce the cost of our product because you only have to use one laser powered by our technology in comparison to having to use two to five lasers to get the same power from other companies’ technology.”


With a product coming out of production and in use by two customers, Bean is ready to go back to the 40 or so venture capital firms and angel investors he’s met with over the last two years. He hopes to raise $500,000 to commercialize the company’s product and hire part-time accounting and administrative help, as well as engineers.


The money the company has spent so far covered development, patent-pending and incorporation costs and related legal fees, he said. The $5,000 prize from the business plan competition went right into product development.


“For those going into the (business plan) competition this year, I would say be farther along in the development process than we were,” he said. “I think it makes a world of difference with investors.”

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