INNOFINLAND Prize
Liekki Oy, Lohja
Manufacturing of active optical fibres by direct nanoparticle deposition
There was glass and a need to dye it. There was a group of glass researchers at the University of Art and Design Helsinki and an aerosol group at the Tampere University of Technology. An unorthodox group of inventors was born: M.Sc. (Eng.) Markku Rajala, D.Eng. Juha Tikkanen, Lic.Arts Markus Eerola ja Lic.Eng. Ville Pitkänen. An invention was born: Direct Nanoparticle Deposition, DND.
There was the Internet and a need for faster transfer of data. There were optical networks and a need to manufacture active fibres for optical amplifiers. It was known that this could be done by doping one hair thick optical glass fibre with erbium. Analogy: to dope glass with erbium is the same thing as to dye glass! A lamp was lit: active fibres can be made by direct nanoparticle deposition! Liekki was born.
DND produces nanoparticles, in whose silicon dioxide glass erbium is divided evenly. In the technology used by its competitors the erbium ions cake together and do not effectively amplify the light signal. The seven years old basic invention?a method for producing material?is found in Liekki?s patent portfolio and in recent years the portfolio has grown ? thanks to ten inventors.
Liekki has turned the manufacturing of active fibres into industry. DND produces fibres thanks to which amplifiers become cheaper and better. The volume of fibre in an amplifier is reduced by 80 per cent, the efficiency improves by 100 per cent and the result is a 30 per cent cheaper amplifier.
Optical telecommunications are in the deepest recession of their history. Yet Liekki has opened its sale of fibres. Liekki?s fibre is being tested by all notable manufacturers of fibre amplifiers. Last year?s turnover of nearly one million euros will be doubled this year. Liekki?s entire production goes abroad.
Contact information:
Technology Director Markku Rajala
Sorronrinne 9, FI-08500 Lohja
www.liekki.com
markku.rajala@liekki.com
faksti Fax +358 19 357 3948