Lightwave Electronics

Lightwave Electronics was a prominent developer and manufacturer of high-performance solid-state lasers, specifically diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) systems. Based in Mountain View, California, the company's technology was integral to the life sciences sector, providing the precision light sources required for DNA sequencing, flow cytometry, and advanced microscopy. Their proprietary Non-Planar Ring Oscillator (NPRO) technology set industry standards for frequency stability and narrow linewidth. In 2005, the company was acquired by JDS Uniphase (JDSU) for approximately $65 million to bolster its commercial laser portfolio. Following the 2015 split of JDSU, the Lightwave product lines became part of Lumentum. The company is recognized for transitioning advanced laser research into reliable commercial products for scientific and medical instrumentation.