Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (HPK) and Nichia on Oct. 11 have reached a basic agreement to build a wide-ranging collaborative framework leveraging the two companies’ proprietary optical and other technologies.

Image: Nichia (top); Hamamatsu Photonics (bottom)

HPK is highly reputed in Japan and worldwide for its optical technologies, with a particular focus on high-performance optical sensors such as photomultiplier tubes (or PMT) and photodiodes. Its technologies contribute to a wide range of fields, from industrial applications to academic research in physics. Nichia possesses technologies in the fields of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes (LDs), phosphors and battery materials. Nichia has been recognized as a world leader in the field of opto semiconductors since becoming the first company in the world to establish mass production of blue LEDs and violet LDs.

The optical/optoelectronics technologies in which these two companies specialize play indispensable roles in various industries (e.g. energy, automobile production, communications, medicine, etc.). Their importance in sensing and other applications is expected to continue to grow year over year.

In view of these prospects, and recognizing the importance of strengthening their own and each other’s businesses, the two companies have agreed on an operating partnership to advance proactively on a wide range of cooperative ventures. In so doing the two companies vow to respect the leading-edge technologies and intellectual properties held by each other.

Through this new partnership, HPK and Nichia will organically integrate their respective advanced technologies and put them to mutual practical use. The two companies expect this integration to generate superior optical/optoelectronic products and bring them to market rapidly.

The first phase of the partnership will concentrate on semiconductor-wafer processing technology called stealth dicing (SD). HPK is a producer and vendor of SD engines, a core SD technology device, while Nichia possesses several patents in the SD field. Nichia will make these patents available to HPK so that HPK can broaden its portfolio of SD patents further, advancing the development of next-generation SD technologies and further strengthening its SD business. Nichia is beginning an evaluation process geared to expanding its range of adoption of HPK’s high-performance SD engines for Nichia’s LED production processes.

HPK’s state-of-the-art technology in sensors is the perfect match for Nichia’s leadership position in light emitting devices. By fusing these two high-technology portfolios, both partner companies expect to achieve stronger business prospects and enhanced brand presence.