Japanese optoelectronics industry shows strong growth
The Optoelectronics Industry and Technology Development Association (OITDA; Tokyo, Japan) estimates that Japan's optoelectronics industry has reached an output of x641.9 billion ($6.1 billion) this past year, a 13% increase from the year before. The growth, topping the 6.6% growth the previous year, indicates that the decreasing growth-rate pattern of the previous years has ended. The OITDA attributes this growth to several factors. Notably, there was an increase in production of displays, the emergence of large-screen products on the market, and the growth of optical devices for telecommunications.
The organization believes that 2000 will see continued growth, with the total industry value reaching x751.7 billion ($7.15 billion), representing a 17.7% growth rate. The survey effectively encompassed more than 90% of the market, according to the OITDA. In another note, the OITDA reported that Japanese optoelectronics manufacturing companies produce 20.3% of their output overseas.
eMagin collaborates on OLEDs, FEDs
eMagin Corp. (Hopewell Junction, NY) has signed an agreement with IBM (White Plains, NY) for joint development of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology. As part of the deal, the two firms will share information and work to accelerate the development of OLED-on-silicon technology for microdisplay applications. Fabricating the displays on silicon may allow computer and video functions to be integrated on the same chip. eMagin has licensed the OLED technology from Eastman Kodak (Rochester, NY) and has 80 of its own patents issued or pending. In another collaborative agreement, eMagin will work with LG Electronics (Seoul, South Korea) to advance the progress of LG's field-emission-display (FED) devices.
Sony allies with Fujitsu, Hitachi to make plasma displays
Sony Corp (Tokyo, Japan) is injecting capital into Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display (FHP), a joint venture established by Fujitsu and Hitachi in 1999 to develop, make, and sell plasma display panels for the commercial market. The investment ratio among the shareholders will be 42.5% Fujitsu, 42.5% Hitachi, and 15% Sony, with combined capital reaching x23.5 billion ($223 million). The three companies plan to conclude a shareholder's agreement. Sony's minority stake will allow it to participate in planning FHP's activities. In the meantime, FHP is adding a second volume-production facility to its manufacturing complex; full production will begin in 2001.
Fresnel Optics to develop imaging screens
Fresnel Optics (Rochester, NY) has won an award from the US Display Consortium (San Jose, CA) for the development of imaging screen systems for rear-projection monitors. Each organization will contribute 50% of the funds in the $4.5 million contract. The company will first produce screen prototypes and then install capital equipment designed for low-cost manufacturing. The project will conclude with pilot production. The screen system will contain a Fresnel lens and imaging screen, with initial size constrained to 32-in. diagonal. Goals are high resolution, homogeneity, and cosmetic quality.
PixTech wins contract for full-color FED
PixTech (Boise, ID) has been awarded a $6.3 million military contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for a full-color, full-video-rate field-emission display (FED). The 12.1-in.-diameter display is intended for use in military vehicles. Under another DARPA contract, PixTech has already produced and delivered a 12.1-in. monochrome FED that provides 64 shades of gray and has 800 x 600 resolution.
Also in the news . . .
Three-Five Systems (Tempe, AZ) and Nikon Corp. (Tokyo, Japan) will codevelop a projection unit based on Three-Five's microdisplay technology. . . . SensIR Technologies (Danbury, CT) and Perkin-Elmer Instruments (Norwalk, CT) have formed a strategic partnership. . . . Digirad (San Diego, CA) completed a $10 million round of private equity financing. . . . OPTRA (Topsfield, MA) won a contract from the US Air Force to develop a dual-channel remote thermographer.
John Wallace
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