We’ve Come a Long Way
Grating light valve technology was born in the research labs of Stanford University. The idea became a company and over the years that company, Silicon Light Machines, has matured from one that licenses intellectual property to one that develops and markets a range of diverse optical-electrical imaging products. Read about the important milestones in our development below.
In research labs at Stanford University, California, Professor David Bloom develops the revolutionary grating light valve (GLV) technology to address the need for higher-resolution displays in emerging markets.
David Bloom founds Echelle Inc. to develop a range of products based on the GLV. The company closes four rounds of venture capital financing from two top tier VC funds, Mayfield and IVP, as well as placements from private investors.
Echelle fabricates its first GLV device, a 2D array capable of producing high-resolution, high-contrast images in a simple passive matrix display. The design concept behind this new structure is the first in what is to become a long series of patented inventions beyond the original Stanford work
Echelle changes its name to Silicon Light Machines.
Silicon Light Machines enters into a development agreement to use GLV technology in Computer-to-Plate systems.
Silicon Light Machines receives honors for presenting the most significant paper to the Society for Information Display symposium in Anaheim, California. The paper introduces a unique scanned linear GLV architecture for use in high performance, low-cost display systems.
June - Silicon Light Machines ships its first display system.
June - Silicon Light Machines exclusively licenses its GLV technology to Sony for use in display applications.
The telecom market is booming. Silicon Light Machines announces a major shift in strategy to develop GLV devices for optical communication applications, such as fast switches and optical attenuators.
August - Cypress Semiconductor acquires Silicon Light Machines, culminating a two-year manufacturing relationship. Cypress sees an opportunity for using GLV technology in optoelectronic products for the networking and telecommunications industries.
June - Silicon Light Machines publishes white paper on the Application of GLV Technology in Optical Communications.
March - Silicon Light Machines launches its flagship product for telecom, the 2200 Dynamic Gain Equalizer for dense wave multiplexing communication systems. The system offers enhanced control of optical amplifiers, leading to improved OSNR, longer transmission distance, and lower system cost.
April - Agfa and Dainippon Screen introduce the first GLV-based computer-to-plate solutions, revolutionizing the commercial print market with prepress solutions offering unequalled speed and image quality.
May - Silicon Light Machines licenses its PyroFree™ technology to Koike Corporation, a leading manufacturer of Lithium Tantalate wafers. PyroFree dramatically improves the manufacturability of lithium tantalite surface acoustic wave devices by eliminating the electrical arcing problems that have historically plagued the material.
June - Dainippon Screen launches the GLV-based Very Large Format CTP, PlateRite Ultima.
June - SLM begins development of the PLV for deep ultra-violet maskless lithography under a contract with DARPA.
May - Silicon Light Machines files its first patent for Opticheck™, a highly accurate laser navigation sensor for optical mice and other tracking devices. Silicon Light Machines begins developing the OvationONS™ Optical Navigation Sensor for wireless mice, gaming controls, and other tracking devices.
November - Silicon Light Machines begins work on a new GLV device with integrated drive circuits that will enable high pixel count for direct-write lithography and other imaging applications.
July - Silicon Light Machines introduces and ships a GLV module with high-power handling and higher efficiency
March - Silicon Light Machines demonstrates two-dimensional GLV array intended for lithography applications
October - Silicon Light Machines qualifies Aspen Technologies for module production.
December - Silicon Light Machines ships first prototypes of Integrated GLV device.
Silicon Light Machines transfers all OvationONS development to Cypress.
July - Silicon Light Machines is acquired by Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Co. Ltd. SLM is chartered to continue to serve its customers and expand its business as an independent company under a new corporate umbrella.
April - Silicon Light Machines moves into its new lab and office space in Sunnyvale. The labs include state-of-the-art MEMS testing facility for R&D and production of GLV™ products.
July - Integrated GLV device in production
September - Silicon Light Machines reacquires the rights to Grating Light Valve™ Technology for display applications.
June - Toshio "Toshi" Hiroe is appointed President and CEO to expand its business by organically combining SLM technology and Screen's other core competencies.
Silicon Light Machines qualifies the GLV for production at Freescale Semiconductor.
