History of Ushio’s Laser Division
Integrating optical semiconductor technology of the highest level, for over 40 years
Beginning with the acquisition of Hitachi’s optical semiconductor business in the late 1970s, Ushio has made a habit of tracking down the brightest and best in the business. Subsequently taking over other successful solid state technology enterprises, such as Oclaro and Epitex, Ushio has built an advanced SSL division in which the abundant experience commanded by each entity is unified under one roof.
With roots stretching back over 100 years, Ushio was incorporated in 1964 and has since established itself as a global lighting specialist and a pioneer of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light applications.
From humble beginnings in Japan, Ushio has concentrated on applying light to life sciences, visual imaging, and electronics. The global group has grown to 5,590 employees across 57 international locations, with major offices serving customers in Asia, EMEA, and the Americas.
The origin of Ushio’s LED business began when Epitex Inc. was established in 1989. Their first product was a highly sought after silicon carbide (SiC) blue light emitting diode, before transitioning to high-speed, high-power IR LEDs as their primary product.
In 2008, Ushio acquired Epitex to strengthen its ‘LEDs for OEMs’ business and, in 2016, would go on to merge Epitex with the laser diode division acquired from Hitachi.
By mid-2014, Ushio had taken over Oclaro‘s industrial semiconductor business, which included the manufacture of LEDs & red, violet, and infrared laser diodes. This led to the establishment of Ushio Opto Semiconductor (UOS).
In 2020, Ushio’s primary business absorbed the SSL division at UOS to achieve its end goal of becoming a one-stop lighting solution provider.
This business integration has enabled Ushio to respond quickly and accurately to the varied needs of our customers, the evolving business environment, and is expected to further accelerate the expansion of our light source business.
Ushio Laser Diode Development Timeline
1979 – 830 nm laser diode (LD) awarded “IR100”
1980 – World’s first shipment of 830 nm LD
1983 – World’s first shipment of 830 nm high power LD for reading optical disc
1984 – World’s first shipment of 780 nm LD for printers
1989 – Started 670 nm LD shipments for pointers
2005 – Started shipments of high efficiency Red LD with air ridge structure
2006 – World’s first shipment of 640 nm/40 mW LD and 642 nm/60 mW LD
2007 – World’s first shipment of 642 nm/80 mW LD
2008 – World’s first release of 642 nm/150 mW LD for show lasers and 705 nm/50 mW for medical applications
2010 – World’s first shipment of 638 nm/120 mW violet LD for small projectors
2011 – Started shipments of high power (404 nm/400 mW) LD for industrial applications
2013 – Started shipments of 633 nm/100 mW LD for bio-medical and inspection
2014 – Started shipments of 638 nm/700 mW LD for projectors and laser TV
2014 – Ushio takes over Oclaro‘s industrial laser diode including red, violet, and infrared laser diode business and establishes Ushio Opto Semiconductor
2016 – Business integration with Ushio Epitex, which is engaged in the LED business, 100% owned by Ushio Inc.
2019 – Started shipments of 638 nm/3.5 W pulsed LD for projectors and laser TV
2019 – World’s first shipments of 659 nm/1.2 W red LD
2020 – Started shipments of 660 nm/400 mW LD for bio-medical, sensing, and measurement
2020 – Business integration with Ushio Inc.
2020 – Started shipments of 670 nm/30 mW for sensing and measurement
2020 – Started shipments of 405 nm/600 mW violet LDs for bio-medical, direct imaging, and photo-lithography
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