Teem Photonics

About Teem Photonics

Based in Meylan, France, a hub for technology and research, Teem Photonics has established itself as a specialized manufacturer of advanced laser and photonic components since its founding in 1998. The company was founded by Antoine Kevorkian, who serves as CEO and brings a background in optoelectronics and experience from Schneider Electric. He launched the firm after managing an industrial research consortium, initially focusing on the telecom market.

Teem Photonics operates with a dual-product focus: passively Q-switched microlasers and Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs). The company’s business model centers on supplying these components to OEM customers and scientific institutions worldwide for integration into larger systems. Its client base spans diverse sectors, including datacom, telecom, biomedical, autonomous vehicles, and defense. A significant milestone was the 2005 acquisition of a microchip laser line from JDS Uniphase (now Lumentum), which the company redeveloped to enhance performance and reliability. This strategic move solidified its position in markets like diamond marking.

The firm's microlasers are distinguished by their ability to generate sub-nanosecond, high peak power pulses from compact, air-cooled packages. These lasers operate across near-infrared, green, and ultraviolet wavelengths and are used for applications such as micro-machining, biophotonics, and remote sensing. Teem Photonics emphasizes the durability of its products, citing lifetimes exceeding 100,000 hours for its infrared lasers. For its PIC offerings, the company utilizes its proprietary ioNext platform, which is based on an ion-exchange process on glass wafers. This technology enables the creation of various optical functions like splitters, couplers, and multiplexers. A key product in this line is the WAFT series, which facilitates the crucial interface between silicon photonics chips and fiber arrays.