21 Pioneering Companies in the Photonics Industry
21 Pioneering Companies in the Photonics Industry
The photonics industry covers the research, development, and application of photon-- particles of light. It involves the use of photons to detect, generate, and manipulate light. The companies that operate in this industry range from those specializing in fiber optics solutions, laser technology, optical instrumentation, to biomedical and analytics instrumentation. These companies’ offerings are integral to a variety of applications including telecommunications, manufacturing, healthcare, and even quantum technologies. The industry is continuously evolving, driven by technological innovations and increasing application potential such as lidar sensors for autonomous vehicles, OLEDs for display and lighting, photovoltaic for solar energy, and high-speed optical communication for data transport.
Top 21 Photonics Industry Companies
1. Thorlabs
- Website: thorlabs.com
- Headquarters: Newton, New Jersey, United States
- Founded: 1989
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Latest funding type: Acquired
Thorlabs is a company that specializes in fiber optics, laser diodes, optical instrumentation, and polarization measurement & control products. They offer a wide range of imaging systems, optomechanics, motion control devices, and optics. Thorlabs provides solutions for various applications including telecommunications, spectroscopy, quantum technologies, and more.
2. Lumentum
- Website: lumentum.com
- Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States
- Founded: 2015
- Headcount: 5001-10000
- Latest funding type: Post Ipo Debt
Lumentum is an innovative company specializing in accelerating photonic innovation. They offer a wide range of solutions, including sophisticated lasers for manufacturers to deliver next-generation products. Their offerings include commercial lasers, macromaterials processing, micromaterials processing, EV battery manufacturing, biomedical and analytics instrumentation, and more.
3. Ofs
- Website: ofsoptics.com
- Headquarters: Norcross, Georgia, United States
- Founded: 2001
- Headcount: 1001-5000
OFSoptics.com is a premier manufacturer of fiber optic solutions, providing a wide range of products and services for various industries. They offer high-quality fiber optic cables, connectivity solutions, and components, enabling reliable and efficient communication. With a commitment to quality and innovation, OFSoptics.com is a trusted partner for businesses seeking cutting-edge optical fiber technology.
4. Trumpf
- Website: trumpf.com
- Headquarters: Ditzingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Founded: 1923
- Headcount: 10001+
TRUMPF is a global high-tech company that offers innovative solutions in the fields of machine tools, laser technology, and electronics. With a focus on industrial applications, the company provides advanced manufacturing equipment and services to various industries.
5. IPG Photonics
- Website: ipgphotonics.com
- Headquarters: Oxford, Massachusetts, United States
- Founded: 1990
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Latest funding type: Ipo
IPG Photonics is a company that specializes in providing laser systems and accessories for various industries. They offer a wide range of products including handheld laser welding equipment, safety equipment, spare parts, and consumables. With their innovative technology and high-quality products, they aim to meet the needs of their customers in a reliable and efficient manner.
6. Spectra-Physics
- Website: spectra-physics.com
- Headquarters: Andover, Massachusetts, United States
- Founded: 1961
- Headcount: 5001-10000
- Latest funding type: Acquired
Spectra-Physics is a company that offers a wide range of solutions in the field of scientific and industrial lasers. Their products are designed for various applications such as research, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
7. Acacia Communications, now part of Cisco
- Website: acacia-inc.com
- Headquarters: Maynard, Massachusetts, United States
- Founded: 2009
- Headcount: 10001+
- Latest funding type: Acquired
Acacia, Inc. is a technology company specializing in optical interconnect solutions for data networks. They offer a range of products including coherent pluggables, silicon photonic integrated circuits, and DSP ASICs. Their solutions address various network applications such as cloud, metro, long-haul, and submarine networks. Acacia empowers network operators to meet the growing demands for data with high-performance and flexible solutions.
8. Infinera
- Website: infinera.com
- Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States
- Founded: 2000
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Latest funding type: Post Ipo Equity
Infinera is a company that provides innovative optical networking solutions to carriers, cloud operators, governments, and enterprises. They specialize in scalable bandwidth, service innovation acceleration, and automated operations.
9. NeoPhotonics
- Website: neophotonics.com
- Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States
- Founded: 1997
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Latest funding type: Acquired
NeoPhotonics Corporation is a leading provider of advanced photonic integrated circuit-based modules and subsystems for high-speed communications networks. They offer a wide range of products including coherent transmission modules, tunable lasers, and 100G transceivers.
10. Edmund Optics
- Website: edmundoptics.com
- Headquarters: Barrington, New Jersey, United States
- Founded: 1942
- Headcount: 1001-5000
Edmund Optics is a company that specializes in optical technology and provides a wide range of products and solutions. They offer optomechanics, imaging solutions, laser optics, and defense optics. With a focus on innovation and expertise, they cater to various industries and customers.
11. G&H Photonics
- Website: gandh.com
- Headquarters: Ilminster, Somerset, United Kingdom
- Founded: 1948
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Latest funding type: Ipo
G&H is a photonics engineering and manufacturing company that provides solutions for industries such as industry, telecoms, aerospace, defense, space, and life sciences. With over 70 years of experience, they offer high-optical throughput, precise phase control, and a wide selection of materials. Their products include acousto, electro, fiber, and precision optic technologies.
12. NKT Photonics
- Website: nktphotonics.com
- Headquarters: Birkerød, Hovedstaden, Denmark
- Founded: 2009
- Headcount: 201-500
- Latest funding type: Acquired
nktphotonics.com offers a range of laser products and solutions for innovators in various industries. They deliver state-of-the-art optical fiber- and laser technology to push the boundaries of what's possible. Their product offerings include supercontinuum white light lasers, single-frequency fiber lasers, femtosecond lasers, and ultrafast fiber lasers.
13. TOPTICA Photonics
- Website: toptica.com
- Headquarters: Gräfelfing, Bayern, Germany
- Founded: 1998
- Headcount: 201-500
TOPTICA Photonics has been developing and manufacturing high-end laser systems for more than 20 years. They offer a wide range of laser products and solutions for scientific and industrial applications.
14. Wuhan Yilut Technology Co., Ltd.
Yilut.com is a technology company specializing in the development and manufacturing of optical communication products. With a focus on silicon photonics, the company offers a range of solutions including fiber arrays, AWG coupling components, and PLC splitters. Yilut.com serves various industries and provides products for applications such as fiber-to-the-home, data centers, and laser radar.
15. JDSU (now Viavi Solutions)
- Website: jdsu.com
- Headquarters: Milpitas, California, United States
- Founded: 1979
- Headcount: 1001-5000
JDSU is a leading provider of communications test and measurement solutions and optical products for telecommunications service providers, cable operators, and network equipment manufacturers.
16. Laser Components
- Website: lasercomponents.com
- Headquarters: Olching, Bavaria, United Kingdom
- Founded: 1982
- Headcount: 201-500
Laser Components is a company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of laser-based components and systems. They offer a wide range of products including laser diodes, optical fibers, laser modules, and photodiodes.
17. LightPath Technologies
- Website: lightpath.com
- Headquarters: Orlando, Florida, United States
- Founded: 1985
- Headcount: 201-500
- Latest funding type: Post Ipo Equity
LightPath Technologies is a global leader in optical technology, specializing in the manufacturing and supply of visible and infrared optical components and sub-systems. They offer a wide range of products including infrared ball lenses, infrared optical hemispheres, thermal imaging lens assemblies, molded optics, and more.
18. Laser 2000
- Website: laser2000.de
- Headquarters: Wessling, Bayern, Germany
- Founded: 1986
- Headcount: 51-200
- Latest funding type: Acquired
Laser2000.de is a company that offers a wide range of optical and photonics products and solutions. They provide high-quality laser systems, measurement technology, spectrometer systems, fiber optics, and optical measurement tools. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, they deliver cutting-edge products and support to various industries.
19. MPB Communications Inc.
- Website: mpbcommunications.com
- Headquarters: Pointe-Claire, Select, Canada
- Founded: 1977
- Headcount: 51-200
- Latest funding type: Grant
MPB Communications is a technology company specializing in photonics and telecommunications equipment. They offer a wide range of products and services including fiber amplifiers, laser equipment, wavelength converters, and consultation services. They cater to various industries such as communications, defense and aerospace, and healthcare.
20. Washington State LASER Alliances
- Website: wastatelaser.org
- Headquarters: Spokane, Washington, United States
- Headcount: 1001-5000
Wastatelaser.org offers advanced laser technology solutions for industrial, medical and scientific purposes.
21. ALPhANOV
- Website: alphanov.com
- Headquarters: Talence, Gironde, France
- Founded: 2007
- Headcount: 51-200
Alphanov is a technological center specializing in optical and laser engineering. They offer a range of products and services including laser components, fiber optic cables, and laser solutions for integrated circuit testing. They provide technological support and training, and their expertise spans various industries including automotive, aerospace, defense, electronics, healthcare, and optics.
Want to find more photonics industry companies?
If you want to find more companies that offer groundbreaking solutions in laser technology, fiber optics, and optical instrumentation you can do so with Inven. This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.
With Inven you'll also get to know the company's:
- Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
- Contact data: Who are the owners and CEO's? What are their emails and phone numbers?
- Financials: How do these companies perform financially? What are their revenues and profit margins?
...and a lot more!
