Sabeus Photonics

About Sabeus Photonics

Sabeus Photonics, now a part of OFS Fitel, LLC, was incorporated in 1998, originating from the expertise of its founders in fiber Bragg gratings. The company was established by Dr. Jack Feinberg, a recognized leader in nonlinear optics, and Dr. Dmitry Starodubov, who previously headed the photosensitivity group at the Fiber Optics Research Center in Moscow. Their team was further strengthened by the inclusion of Dr. Bill Morey, a key figure in the development of fiber Bragg gratings, and Dhiren Patel, an expert in the manufacturing of precise optical components. The venture received initial seed funding from Ortel Corporation and later secured a significant funding round in August 2000 led by Redpoint Ventures, with total financing reaching over $24 million by 2002.

The core of Sabeus's business revolves around the design and high-volume manufacture of fiber-optic components for the telecommunications and sensing industries. It serves major optical equipment vendors by producing components essential for intelligent optical networks, including those based on WDM and DWDM technologies for various network scales. The business model focuses on creating what the company termed "high-concept" devices, which leverage advanced technological insights to deliver complex results through simple, cost-effective designs and processes, contrasting with the increasing physical complexity seen in semiconductors.

A key technological differentiator for Sabeus is its patented "Cold Writing" process. This method uses near-UV laser light (around 330- or 350-nm) to write Bragg gratings directly into the core of an optical fiber without stripping the protective polymer coating. Traditional methods require stripping and recoating the fiber, which can compromise its mechanical strength. Sabeus's technique preserves the fiber's integrity, resulting in components with significantly improved reliability and durability. This process enables the high-volume, cost-effective production of components like ultra-precise gain-flattening filters for erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA) and Raman amplifiers, as well as pump laser stabilizers. The technology also extends to fiber optic sensor systems designed to measure temperature, pressure, and seismic data in demanding environments like down-hole in oil wells.