News: Optoelectronics
24 February 2026
BluGlass secures A$190,000 order from TOPTICA for custom GaN visible lasers
BluGlass Ltd of Silverwater, Australia — which develops and manufactures gallium nitride (GaN) blue laser diodes based on its proprietary low-temperature, low-hydrogen remote-plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) technology — has received a AUS$190,000 (US$132,500) order from TOPTICA Photonics Inc to provide custom GaN visible wavelength lasers for photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The next-generation high-precision single-frequency PICs are being developed to enable quantum capabilities for trapped ion, neutral atom, and photonic quantum technologies.
TOPTICA Photonics is a commercial member of the US Department of War’s (DoWs) NORDTECH Hub. BluGlass is supporting the Hub’s Quantum Ultra-broadband Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (QUPICS) program. QUPICS aims to establish 300mm foundry-scale fabrication capability for quantum photonic integrated circuits spanning ultraviolet (UV) through infrared (IR) wavelengths. This broad spectral range is essential for many atomic, ion-based, and photonic quantum systems to accelerate quantum applications including sensing, networking and computing, secure communications, and precision navigation.
“The US and allied nations are increasingly focused on developing critical onshore strategic capability; underscoring the importance of advanced laser solutions to future security and commercial technologies,” notes BluGlass’ CEO Jim Haden. “The QUPICS project is addressing key defence challenges to develop chip-scale photonic capabilities for quantum applications to unlock next-generation systems. BluGlass’ high-precision GaN lasers enable greater precision, stability and integration for applications ranging from secure communications and precision navigation in GPS-denied environments to advanced computing architectures,” he adds.
“These two recent wins, the Year‑3 extension of our CLAWS Hub contract and the new purchase order from TOPTICA within the NORDTECH Microelectronics Commons Hub, demonstrates the sustained momentum we are building across the US Government and leading industry players,” Haden continues. “Our selection for these programs reinforces BluGlass’ reputation as a trusted partner capable of delivering high-precision GaN laser technologies for critical defence and quantum photonics challenges. We are continuing to execute against our US$100m project opportunities, converting smaller initial orders into long-term engagements and growing development contracts. At the same time, we are expanding the quality and depth of projects ahead of us.”
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