In 1996, while working with colleagues at the University of Central Florida School of Optics (CREOL), we were doing some research into integration of indium phosphide devices for telecom applications. At that point, the telecom market was heating up and we decided to start a new company, Advanced Integrated Photonics (the investors changed the name to Qusion).

 

At that time, we were also working with Princeton Opto-Electronic Materials (POEM), so we decided to open the company in Princeton, New Jersey. We were able to raise initial venture capital to start work. We raised an additional $12M in venture financing to construct a new 8000 square foot indium phosphide fab in South Brunswick, New Jersey. This was the first commercial InP fab in New Jersey. By 2000 we were producing integrated devices such as 40gb electro-absorption modulators, switches, and lasers. Imagine our excitement! We were ahead of our time.  

 

Unfortunately, the dotcom markets were not doing well. Our investors decided that they wanted to exit because they never saw a need for 40gb, even though we were working with Cisco, JDSU and several other tech companies.  

 

Today there is an absolute need for indium phosphide devices. When the CHIPS act was enacted, it showed the country the necessity to keep up with current and future technology.  We were very excited to finally be able to bring our many years of experience in this field and start Combined Semiconductor, Inc. in order to meet today’s needs for integrated photonic devices.