BlazePhotonics from start to end

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BlazePhotonicsfrom start to end?

• Jonathan Knight
• Centre for Photonics and Photonics Materials
• University of Bath

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The back of the envelope (1992)
(Philip Russell, 1992)
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First working fibre made in 1995
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Better optical fibres
Better means handle higher powers without
damage lower nonlinear response or higher
nonlinear response wide control over
group-velocity dispersion very high
birefringence High NA for cladding-pumped
lasers spectacular white light generation
highly versatile fabrication technology
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(No Transcript)
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Whose company?
University cleanrooms
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Negotiations with Qinetiq
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Whose company?
University cleanrooms
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The full team
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Looking for funding
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1999
1998
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Bath Technology Ltd
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Successful startup?

• Technology ?
• University ?
• DERA/Qinetiq ?
• Founders ?
• Investors ?

(Just my opinionI am a Founder)
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and the not-so-good
The good.

• Poor match funding timescale/technology
• Weak link technology/ investors in early stages
  (missing key person)
• Too much recruiting
• Unfortunate timing with telecoms boom/bust

• Superb core technical team
• Strong IP
• Excellent scientific reputation
• Technology lives on