Continuum Photonics and Polatis to Merge

Continuum Photonics and Polatis Ltd., makers of optical switch subsystems and module products, announced an agreement to merge.


Continuum Photonics, which was founded in 1998 and is located near Boston, offers a family of optical switch products based on its patented DirectLight switching technology. Due to a unique switching architecture, DirectLight provides integrated switching, optical attenuation (gain equalization), and power monitoring. Continuum has aimed its existing products at the Optical Automation Systems (OAS) market, with customers in carrier labs, data equipment companies, and telecom equipment manufacturers.


Polatis, which was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, currently offers products based on its Micro-Actuation and Sensing System (MASS) platform, including a range of optical switch systems, modules, and cards for both single mode and multimode fiber applications. The patented MASS technology provides fast and ultra-low loss matrix switching, requiring no light to establish a connection. Polatis has aimed its existing products at communications, aerospace and defense customers. In March 2005, Polatis announced a worldwide sales distribution agreement with JDS Uniphase.


Continuum's investors include Flagship Ventures, Prism Venture Partners, JK&B Capital, Boston Millennia Partners, Harris and Harris Group, GE Capital, MTDC, Arcadian Venture Partners, and Gainesborough Investments.


Polatis is funded through investments by 3i, Alta Berkeley, Prelude, and EonTech.
http://www.continuumphotonics.com/http://www.polatis.com/