In June 2000, Dr. Ron Logan founded Phasebridge in Pasadena, CA in response to a request from defense contractor TRW and HRL Laboratories, both of whom needed support for separate Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract bids. TRW requested that Logan create a proposal outlining the development of a high frequency mode-lock laser module and HRL requested development of an optical synthesizer module.
During the work process for these two customers, Phasebridge engineers developed a methodology integrating 
multiple optical chip-level devices into compact packages, creating optical hybrid modules. This hybrid consisted of a laser transmitter module that incorporated a laser diode and an optical modulator chip into one hermetically sealed package.
The optical hybrid module can be used for military microwave signal transmission to convert signals from electrical form to optical form for transmission over optical fiber. These signals can then be used for frequency jamming of enemy radar and tracking moving objects. In addition, the module could transfer up to 10 Gigabits of data per second over a long distance (100km or more) and could allow uninterrupted satellite communications, even during severe weather or other potential service interruptions.
In order to get the optical hybrid module into production, funding and detailed market information were needed to develop a prototype. Logan found both requirements through CCAT. Phasebridge applied to CCAT for funding and business services in November of 2002.
In early 2003, CCAT awarded Phasebridge $75,000 for prototype development and a market study to determine product viability. While the financial and business support was helpful, the biggest impact of the CCAT award was the "validation of the products" from the investment standpoint, as well as a sales standpoint said Logan. "We were able to secure a $1.5 million congressional appropriation directed toward furthering the development of the laser transmitter module," remarked Logan. "Having done the prototype with the CCAT funding enabled us to start showing the technology to the Navy and other interested parties so that we could prove to them that this wasn't just 'pie in the sky' - you could co-package the laser and modulator chips and have it work in a harsh environment, such as a naval or military aircraft." Phasebridge also won several SBIR awards as well as a STTIR for the hybrid integration.
But hybrid modules were not the only product Phasebridge was developing. In 2002, the company developed new and innovative fiber-optic transmission components. Almost all navigational instruments utilize fiber-optic gyroscopes which are used in the instrumentation of military and commercial aircraft. Fiber-optic transmission components are also used robots, guided missiles and other military applications. But funds were needed to complete the process.
In 2004, Phasebridge applied to CCAT again for funding the development of an optical modulator used in fiber-optic gyroscopes. CCAT granted the company their third $75,000 product development award and market study. This product is currently being transitioned to production by Emcore for use in defense aeronautics applications.
At the same time that Phasebridge was applying for their second CCAT award, they were seeking series B funding. Logan approached the Ortel Division of Emcore Corporation about becoming a prospective investor. Ortel specialized in manufacturing fiber-optic components for the cable TV and telecom industries and, even though their markets were different, both organizations' products operated using similar technologies. During these conversations, the subject of doing a buyout of Phasebridge by Emcore was discussed.
Emcore eventually made a purchase offer to Phasebridge, and in November 2005, the purchase of Phasebridge by Emcore was completed. This purchase combined the military technologies and customer bases of Ortel, JDS Uniphase's Transmission Division (bought by Emcore the previous year) and Phasebridge into a single Specialty Photonics business unit with enough "critical mass" to address the special needs of the defense photonics industry. This business unit is currently headed up by Dr. Logan.
The marriage of Phasebridge and Emcore brought Phasebridge's substantial revenue base and growing number of government contracts/prospects in the Emcore's expanding fiber-optics business. Phasebridge, conversely, was rewarded with even more contracts as a result of the buy-out due government's comfort in dealing with a large, stable organization like Emcore.
For more information, please contact:
Tom Sheffer, CCAT Program Director
SDSU Research Foundation
E-mail: tsheffer@foundation.sdsu.edu
Phone: (619) 594-4135 / Fax: (619) 594-5774