We’ve come a long way.
Silicon Light Machines (SLM) History
Silicon Light Machines (“SLM”) began in 1994 as Echelle Inc. with the goal of commercializing the GLV® for high-resolution display. After successfully developing a high-definition, full-color laser-based projection display in 2000, the exclusive rights to GLV®-use in this field was acquired by Sony Corporation. Later that year, SLM was acquired by Cypress Semiconductor (San Jose), which had been partnering with SLM for foundry services. The focus of the company shifted to developing a GLV®-based dynamic gain equalizer for the long-haul telecom market. However, with the telecom contraction of 2003, SLM refocused on a development started years earlier with SCREEN (Kyoto, Japan) to apply the GLV® to computer-to-plate (CTP) lithography. Over ten years of cooperative development, this business enjoyed steady growth, culminating with SCREEN’s acquisition of SLM in 2008. Since then, SLM has been engaged in developing new light modulators to serve direct-write applications both within SCREEN and with other customers.
SLM founded to commercialize GLV® technology invented at Stanford University.
SLM introduces worlds first three color HD laser projection display.
SLM introduced F-1088 for GLV®-based CTP lithography systems at AGFA & SCREEN.
SLM published pioneering paper on High Speed GLV® MEMS for direct-write lithography.
SLM introduces a high-efficiency G1088 module for CTP.
SLM acquired by Dainippon SCREEN Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
SLM produces first Integrated GLV® (iGLV) G8192 module for direct-write, ultraviolet lithography.
SCREEN introduces DW3000 for direct-write semiconductor, based on G8192 module, which uses iGLV technology.
SLM introduces the 1D ribbon-based DPM™ (D1088-HS) for UV-VIS applications.
SLM introduces the LP1088HS linear PLV™ for very high-power applications.
SLM demonstrates GLV® for laser marking.
SLM introduces the Katana™ linear PLV™-based light engine for laser material processing.
SCREEN introduces LeVina for advanced packaging applications using SLM’s G8192 at 375nm.
SLM introduces the 2D PLV™ and DPM™ for UV-VIS.