Supplier profile:
Exail
Exail (formerly iXblue)34, Rue de la Croix de Fer
78100 Saint Germain-en-Laye
France
Tel.: | +33 1 30 08 88 88 |
E-mail: | |
Website: | ![]() |
Contact page: | https://www.exail.com/contact |
Social media: | LinkedIn YouTube X |
Company Description
Exail is a leading high-tech industrial company specializing in-house manufactured photonics components and systems. The company helps photonics engineers all around the world get the most out of light by providing high performance, innovative and reliable specialty fibers, modulators, micro-optics, and integrated laser systems for various applications, such as quantum, laser, communication, space, and sensing technologies. With a design approach that emphasizes robustness to ensure optimal performance and reliability, even in harsh environments, Exail is engaged in delivering solutions that meet specific customer needs, with a focus on quality, innovation and satisfaction.
News
Exail enables gigabit-speed Earth-to-space optical communications
Exail announces appointment of new CEO for its photonics business line
Exail awarded LLNL contract to deliver front-end laser seeders for the Jupiter Laser Facility
Video: Exail – Photonics solutions for Laser, Sensing, Communication, Quantum and Space applications

Products
Product Category | Description |
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Bragg gratings![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers fiber Bragg gratings for a variety of applications: laser cavity mirrors, gain flattening filters, and ultra-narrow bandwidth filters. In conjunction with our extensive doped fiber portfolio, we can offer suitable fibers for single-frequency DFB lasers. |
coherent beam combining components![]() ![]() | ![]() The ModBox-CBC is a proven and robust multi-channels phase modulation solution for multibeam coherent combination. It operates at 1064 nm or 2000 nm or 1550 nm and contains parallel and independent channels for adjusting the phase of each to match the others. Each channel allows an adjustment of the temporal phase for synchronization of all beams. This Modbox is dedicated to Coherent Beam Combing (CBC) and directed and high energy lasers systems. |
distributed feedback lasers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail’s single-frequency fiber lasers are based on UV Bragg grating technology applied to active rare-earth photosensitive fibers. The ultra-short cavity and the phase-shifted design permit ultra-narrow linewidth and robust mode-hop-free laser operation, ideal for various sensor applications (1.5 and 2 µm available upon request). Benefits and features:
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double-clad fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of specialty optical fibers for lasers and amplifiers. We master erbium, erbium/ytterbium, ytterbium, thulium, holmium, thulium/holmium, neodymium, dysprosium, and phosphorous gain media. PM version are available, and Large Mode Area (LMA) or Very Large Mode Area (VLMA) versions as well. Depending of the requirement, single clad fibers are available for core pumping, double clad fibers for cladding pumping. Triple clad and all-glass structures are also available. |
electro-optic modulators![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers the most comprehensive range of commercial electro-optic LiNbO3 modulators:
In addition, we offer suitable bias controllers, analog and digital drivers. We also have pulse drivers for generating and shaping pulses. See our comprehensive brochure on modulators. |
erbium-doped laser gain media![]() ![]() | ![]() The amplification of optical transmission signals is enabled through our high efficiency erbium-doped fibers (ideal for C and L band amplifiers). Our wide range of erbium-doped optical fibers allows for tailored optical amplifiers (EDFAs) performance based on your requirements. Exail’s erbium-doped fiber (EDF) products have been optimized to fulfill the exigency of high efficiency and low noise EDFAs in the C & L bands. They cover a wide range of applications, from telecom to LIDAR. Space radiation versions are available (TRL 9). Benefits & features:
Applications: 1.5-μm lasers and amplifiers, EDFAs, fiber lasers, small footprint fiber amplifiers. |
erbium-ytterbium-doped laser gain media![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of erbium/ytterbium codoped optical fibers for high power CW or pulsed fiber amplifiers and lasers. They have been optimized to address the specific requirements of high efficiency and low noise for high power fiber lasers and amplifiers, with applications in LIDAR, CATV, and space. Benefits and features:
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fiber Bragg gratings![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers fiber Bragg gratings for a variety of applications: laser cavity mirrors, gain flattening filters, and ultra-narrow bandwidth filters. In conjunction with our extensive doped fiber portfolio, we can offer suitable fibers for single-frequency DFB lasers. |
fiber coils![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers fiber coils based on custom specifications: internal diameter, height, fiber type and length and winding pattern. Benefits and features of our coils:
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fiber optics![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of specialty optical fibers, either for lasers and amplifiers or sensing applications. Hundreds of fiber designs are available from stock on dedicated e-store. Custom versions are also available. Most of the fibers are also available in radiation-resistant versions, either for nuclear environments or for space missions. |
fiber-optic gyroscopes![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) has a range of fiber-optic gyroscopes suitable for different application areas:
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fiber-optic polarizers![]() | ![]() Our PZ fiber-based polarizer is an all-fiber solution offering superior polarization extinction ratio, low loss and excellent stability over temperature. The all-fiber polarizer IXS-POL is a polarizing fiber with the optimal length coiled at the appropriate diameter to operate at the operational wavelength. Exail (formerly iXblue) also offers customized solutions including connectors, various packages, patch cords and cables. |
fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of specialty optical fibers, either for lasers and amplifiers or sensing applications. Hundreds of fiber designs are available from stock on dedicated e-store. Custom versions are also available. Most of the fibers are also available in radiation-resistant versions, either for nuclear environments or for space missions. |
hollow-core fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Optical signals in a hollow core photonic bandgap fiber are guided in an air core surrounded by a PBG microstructured region. In addition to the low bend sensitivity, this fiber design exhibits significantly reduced material nonlinearities since more than 95% of optical power is propagating in air. In addition, air/undoped silica provides excellent temperature immunity, which is critical for high performance fiber sensing and metrology applications. Optical signals in a hollow core anti-resonant fiber propagate in an air core surrounded by a single ring of anti-resonant tube elements. Guidance is based on an anti-resonance from the thin glass membranes constituted by the non-touching tubes surrounding the hollow core. The extremely low overlap of guided power with the surrounding silica, less than 2 · 10−5, in addition to the large effective mode area, leads to a record-low optical nonlinearity. |
holmium-doped laser gain media![]() |
Exail (formerly iXblue) has a full range of holmium-doped optical fibers for amplifiers and fiber lasers from 1.9 to 2.2 µm. Our single clad holmium-doped fiber can be directly core-pumped with a thulium-doped fiber laser. Our double-clad holmium-doped fiber is available for high efficiency multi-mode pump coupling. Exail also offers triple clad designs for high power amplifiers and fiber lasers. Benefits and features:
Applications: 2-μm CW and pulsed lasers and amplifiers, e.g. for military and commercial applications. Thulium/holmium co-doped fibers are also available, e.g. with triple clad design for high-power amplifiers and lasers. |
intensity modulators![]() ![]() | ![]() The MXER-LN series of intensity modulators is a family of high-performance modulators exhibiting a superior extinction ratio. These modulators are available for the C and O bands and find interest for Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). |
large mode area fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of specialty optical fibers for lasers and amplifiers. We master erbium, erbium/ytterbium, ytterbium, thulium, holmium, thulium/holmium, neodymium, dysprosium, and phosphorous gain media. PM version are available, and Large Mode Area (LMA) or Very Large Mode Area (VLMA) versions as well. Depending of the requirement, single clad fibers are available for core pumping, double clad fibers for clad pumping. Triple clad and all glass structures are also available. |
laser gain media![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of specialty optical fibers for lasers and amplifiers. We master erbium, erbium/ytterbium, ytterbium, thulium, holmium, thulium/holmium, neodymium, dysprosium, and phosphorous gain media. PM version are available, and Large Mode Area (LMA) or Very Large Mode Area (VLMA) versions as well. Depending of the requirement, single clad fibers are available for core pumping, double clad fibers for clad pumping. Triple clad and all glass structures are also available. |
laser mirrors![]() ![]() | ![]() Fiber Bragg grating mirrors are critical components used to realize laser cavities and are ideal for high power fiber lasers. Exail’s mirrors have been customized to address the specific requirements of high efficiency and laser applications. Exail (formerly iXblue) offers these wavelength-selective mirrors on a complete range of specialty fibers for high power handling and standard applications. An optimized manufacturing process and testing ensure their long-term reliability in fiber lasers. Exail offers a dissipative package for thermal management of the FBG to ensure stability at high optical power. Benefits and features:
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multi-core fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Based on our original telecom experience of making twin core fibers for add/drop multiplexers, Exail (formerly iXblue) in collaboration with Photonics Bretagne is now offering multi-core fibers for shape and temperature/strain sensing. Multi-core fibers can be used in a large variety of sensing application where the need to reduce the global footprint is also required for cables and connectors. Our multi-core fibers have photosensitive cores, allowing Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) inscription, and can be tailored to match the exact customer specifications. |
multimode fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of multimode specialty optical fibers, either for lasers and amplifiers or for sensing applications. Hundreds of fiber designs are available from stock on our dedicated e-store. Custom versions are also available. More specifically, multimode would consist of step index or graded index fibers with control of temporal dispersion. Most of the references are also available in radiation resistant versions, either for nuclear environment or for space missions. |
narrow-linewidth lasers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail’s single-frequency fiber lasers are based on UV Bragg grating technology applied to active rare-earth photosensitive fibers. The ultra-short cavity and the phase-shifted design permit ultra-narrow linewidth and robust mode-hop-free laser operation, ideal for various sensor applications (1.5 and 2 µm available upon request). Benefits and features:
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neodymium-doped laser gain media![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a complete range of neodymium-doped fibers with some unique properties, ideal for fiber lasers between 890 and 1100 nm. Exail neodymium aluminosilicate double clad fibers have been developed to maximize fiber efficiency through a precisely controlled host composition. Compared to a standard neodymium-doped fiber, the 1.06-μm emission is reduced through careful fiber design optimization. Our double clad fibers are routinely tested to various parameters such as photodarkening and environmental behavior. Single clad fibers are also proposed and would be ideal to build seeder sources. Benefits and features:
Applications: 0.9 to 1.064-μm fiber lasers, seeder sources at 10xx nm. |
optical filters![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue)’s gain flattening filter based on fiber Bragg grating technology represents an easy and effective solution to flatten the gain in a WDM systems. The high accuracy (very low ripple) allows the use of cascaded filters, and the return loss is high (low reflections). The IXC-FBG-PS bandpass filter has a sharp resonance peak in the transmission spectrum with less than 1 dB of insertion loss. It can be used in telecom as well as in sensing applications, also for distributed feedback (DFB) fiber lasers. Exail offers a broad range of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) to address a wide array of applications in telecommunications, sensing, harsh environments, research and development, etc. The excellent know-how in the FBG manufacturing process gives Exail the capability to produce various filters on a variety of in house fibers. We stand ready to adapt our services to your needs from quick prototyping to volume production. |
optical modulators![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers the most comprehensive range of commercial LiNbO3 modulators:
In addition, we offer suitable bias controllers, analog and digital drivers. We also have pulse drivers for generating and shaping pulses. See our comprehensive brochure on modulators. |
optical switches![]() | ![]() The PSW-LN and PSC-LN are two compact and high speed electro-optic polarization switches and scramblers. These integrated-optic devices feature a low-loss single-mode waveguide and are capable of modulating the polarization at frequencies ranging from DC to more than 10 GHz. They are available for the C and O bands. |
phase modulators![]() ![]() | ![]() Designed using state-of-the-art and proven lithium niobate technology, the MPZ-LN phase modulators are easy to operate and to integrate. Available at both 1550 nm and 1310 nm, with low insertion loss and high polarization extinction ratio, either AC and DC coupled for RAM and pyroelectrical effects control, these modulators offer the optimum for industrial Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. Exail near-infrared phase modulators NIR-MPX are a modulator family ranging from DC-coupled low-frequency modulators to wide bandwidths up to 30 GHz, requiring very low driving voltages and offering incomparable 300 mW optical powers handling capabilities. These products benefit from the technological mastery of the "Annealed Proton Exchange" (APE) waveguide manufacturing process. These modulators find a lot of interest in the laser application, such as Pound–Drever–Hall cavity locking as well as Spectral Beam Combining (SBC) and directed and high energy material processing lasers. The optical spectral broadening ModBox-OSB can broaden an optical signal by modulating its phase with a very efficient LiNbO3 phase modulator. A number of sidebands are created over a spectral width that can reach several hundred GHz. The ModBox-OSB contains a single tone RF generator, a white noise source or a PRBS source. It well integrates into laser chains such as High Energy Lasers (HEL) lasers or Spectral Beam Combining lasers architectures (SBC). |
photonic bandgap fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Optical signals in a hollow core photonic bandgap fiber are guided in an air core surrounded by a PBG microstructured region. In addition to the low bend sensitivity, this fiber design exhibits significantly reduced material nonlinearities since more than 95% of optical power is propagating in air. In addition, air/undoped silica provides excellent temperature immunity, which is critical for high performance fiber sensing and metrology applications. |
photonic crystal fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of photonic crystal fibers:
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photosensitive fibers![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) is offering different types of photosensitive single-mode fibers for fiber Bragg gratings:
Our photosensitive fibers exhibit uniform and controlled photosensitivity to conventional UV radiation techniques. Similar fibers are available with polyimide coatings for harsh environments. Benefits and features:
Applications: fiber Bragg gratings, gain flattening filters, broadband filters, temperature and strain sensors. |
polarization scramblers![]() | ![]() The PSW-LN and PSC-LN are two compact and high speed electro-optic polarization switches and scramblers. These integrated-optic devices feature a low-loss single-mode waveguide and are capable of modulating the polarization at frequencies ranging from DC to more than 10 GHz. These modulators are available for the C and O bands and find interest for Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS). |
polarization-maintaining fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of polarization-maintaining specialty optical fibers, either for lasers and amplifiers or for sensing applications. Hundreds of fiber versions are available from stock on dedicated e-store. We have a large experience in PM fibers for Fiber Optic Gyroscopes (FOG), and most of our active doped fibers (erbium, erbium/ytterbium, ytterbium, thulium, holmium, thulium/holmium, neodymium) are available in PM versions. |
polyimide fibers![]() | ![]() For applications where optical fibers have to withstand long term exposure to high temperatures, Exail has formulated a coating package based on polyimides which provides outstanding long-term protection. Polyimide coated fibers can be used at temperatures up to 350 °C for short times and 300 °C permanently. Polyimide coatings also provide mechanical protection and protection against many chemicals. They are also a coating of choice when it comes to radiation exposure. Many fibers are available on stock, and we have the ability to custom design your fiber based on your specific application. |
pulse pickers![]() ![]() | ![]() The ModBox-OPP optical pulse picker allows to pick and optionally shape any sub-nanosecond pulse pattern or pulse sequence in an incoming pulse train. It acts as a fast gate with low insertion loss and high extinction from 30 dB to above 55 dB with high stability over time, and with user-adjustable optical pulse duration and optical pulse train repetition rate (when pre-scaler option is embedded). |
pulse stretchers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers fiber coils based on custom specifications: internal diameter, height, fiber type and length and winding pattern. They can be used as dispersive pulse stretcher. Benefits and features of our coils:
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pulsed lasers![]() ![]() | ![]() The Exail (formerly iXblue) ModBox-OFE is a complete front end laser system designed to be used as a seed source in high energy density laser facilities. The system is available at 1030 nm, 1053 nm and 1064 nm, it allows to generate custom shaped optical pulses with high stability and high extinction ratio and with durations from 125 ps to 100 ns. The short pulse generation is based on the combination of a high-performance continuous laser source combined with a large bandwidth modulation. The ModBox-OPG is a family of optical pulse generation units which generate pulses with durations from 30 ps to hundreds of nanoseconds, and with very high extinction ratio. The available optical shapes are Gaussian and square waveform. The ModBox works at any wavelength, and for an optical pulse train repetition which is externally triggered up to gigahertz repetition rates. The optical spectral broadening ModBox-OSB achieves the broadening of an optical signal by modulating its phase via the mean of a very efficient LiNbO3 phase modulator. A number of side bands are created over a spectral width that can reach several hundreds GHz. The ModBox-OSB contains a single-tone RF generator, white noise sources or PRBS sources. The ModBox-OSB integrates laser chain such as High Energy Lasers (HEL) lasers or Spectral Beam Combining laser architectures (SBC). |
radiation-resistant fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() For more than a decade, Exail (formerly iXblue) has developed a unique know-how in the design of optical fibers in radiative environments such as nuclear power plants, high energy physics labs, nuclear waste repository sites and even all the way into space. Exail develops and maintains a comprehensive product line of fibers designed to fit many of such applications. Our fibers can be used for data transmission, sensing or experiment monitoring. More fibers are available on stock and we have furthermore the ability to custom design your fiber based on your specific application. Do not hesitate to contact us with your specific technical requirements. Benefits and features:
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Raman fibers![]() | ![]() The IXF-PDF and IXF-PDF-PM fibers are phosphorous-doped fibers especially designed to achieve very high Raman gain at 1.48 μm for high-power pumping of erbium-doped fibers. P-doped fiber offers a Raman frequency shift that is three times higher than that of germanium-doped fibers. The main application is in high-power sources at 1240 and 1480 nm that can be used as pump lasers in O-band and C-band fiber amplifiers. The IXF-PDF series have been optimized to offer the best trade-off between a small effective area, a high level of phosphorous (P2O5) doping in the fiber core and an optimized numerical aperture to increase the overlap of the fundamental mode with the fiber core, optimizing the Raman gain and efficiency. |
rare-earth-doped fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of specialty optical fibers for lasers and amplifiers. We master erbium, erbium/ytterbium, ytterbium, thulium, holmium, thulium/holmium, neodymium, dysprosium, and phosphorous gain media. PM version are available, and Large Mode Area (LMA) or Very Large Mode Area (VLMA) versions as well. Depending of the requirement, single clad fibers are available for core pumping, double clad fibers for clad pumping. Triple clad and all glass structures are also available. |
rare-earth-doped laser gain media![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of specialty optical fibers for lasers and amplifiers. We master erbium, erbium/ytterbium, ytterbium, thulium, holmium, thulium/holmium, neodymium, dysprosium, and phosphorous gain media. PM versions are available, and Large Mode Area (LMA) or Very Large Mode Area (VLMA) versions as well. Depending of the requirement, single clad fibers are available for core pumping, double clad fibers for clad pumping. Triple clad and all-glass structures are also available. |
RF drivers![]() | ![]() The DR-AN family is a set of wideband RF amplifier modules designed for analog applications at frequencies up to 40 GHz. The DR-AN are characterized by low noise and a linear transfer function. These amplifiers are used for a large demanding application such as RF over fiber and multi-level telecommunication modulation schemes, for example. The DR-DG family is a set of modulator driver modules specially designed for telecommunication OOK modulation formats such as NRZ, DPSK, QPSK, etc. The DR-DG drivers are key components to obtain high quality eye diagrams with high SNR, low jitter and fast rise and fall times. They operate with a single power supply for safety and ease of use, and offer gain control. |
single-mode fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of specialty optical fibers, either for lasers and amplifiers or for sensing applications. Hundreds of fiber designs are available from stock on our dedicated e-store. Custom versions are also available. Most of the references are also available in radiation resistant versions, either for nuclear environments or for space missions. We also offer endlessly single-mode fibers, which do not exhibit any higher-order mode cut off. They are ideally suited for mode delivery in the visible and above: from 400 nm to 1700 nm. |
single-polarization fibers![]() ![]() |
Exail (formerly iXblue) polarizing fiber (PZ) is designed so that only one state of polarization is guided along the fiber; any other state of polarization will be lost rapidly, thus yielding a high built-in polarization extinction ratio. This particular mechanism is obtained through a specific waveguide design and a careful optimization of the glass composition resulting in both high birefringence and leakage behavior. PZ fibers are available for different wavelengths with a broad polarizing window (typically larger than 100 nm), low attenuation and high extinction ratio (≥30 dB), that can be tuned by coiling the proper fiber length at the appropriate coil diameter. Exail also offers ready-to-use polarizing solutions based on PZ fibers. |
specialty fibers![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a wide range of specialty optical fibers, either for lasers and amplifiers or for sensing applications. Hundreds of fiber designs are available from stock on our dedicated e-store. Custom versions are also available. Most of the references are also available in radiation resistant versions, either for nuclear environments or for space missions. |
spun fibers![]() ![]() |
By spinning the preform during the fiber drawing, it is possible to preserve circular polarization in polarization-maintaining optical fibers that are originally highly birefringent. Exail (formerly iXblue) is offering fibers for 1310 and 1550 nm applications with an optimized spinning rate to minimize the thermal and vibrational dependence of the output polarization. An elliptical core design is available for applications requiring a low temperature dependence. |
telecom transmitters![]() | ![]() The ModBox-VNA by Exail is a wide bandwidth optical transmitter designed to extend vectorial network analyzer applications into the optical domain. When associated with a vectorial network analyzer, they reach a high performance and easy to use test equipment for photodiodes, photoreceivers or any high speed optoelectronic device characterization. |
thulium-doped laser gain media![]() ![]() |
Exail’s thulium-doped fiber products have been developed for core pumped fiber lasers and amplifiers from 1.9 to 2.2 µm. Our portfolio contains both single clad and double clad fibers (from 6 µm to 25 µm core diameter) in PM and non-PM versions. Space, radiation-resistant versions are also available on request. Benefits and features of our Tm-doped fibers:
Applications: 2-µm CW and pulsed lasers, fiber amplifiers. Exail also offers a wide range of thulium/holmium-doped optical fibers for amplifiers and fiber lasers (from 1.9 to 2.2 µm), including triple clad design to be used in high power amplifiers and fiber lasers. |
ytterbium-doped laser gain media![]() ![]() | ![]() Exail (formerly iXblue) offers a large choice of ytterbium-doped single clad and dual clad optical fibers to address a variety of laser performance requirements. Exail’s ytterbium-doped fibers have been designed to provide low noise and high optical conversion efficiency in fiber lasers and amplifiers at 1 µm. Our portfolio contains single clad, double clad, LMA and VLMA Yb fibers (from 5 µm up to 40 µm core diameter) in PM and non-PM versions. Space and radiation-resistant versions are also available. Benefits and features:
Applications: 1-μm CW and pulsed lasers and preamplifiers. |
drive electronics for photonic components![]() |