History of NKT Photonics

1997

Ionas (later Koheras) was established and the first Koheras low-noise single-frequency fiber lasers were introduced into the market

1999

Crystal Fibre was established. Koheras and Crystal fibre would later form the foundation of NKT Photonics.  

2000

Crystal Fibre introduced the first commercial photonic crystal fibers to the market. 

2003

We introduced the first SuperK supercontinuum white light lasers to the market. 

2004

Crystal Fibre acquired the UK-based start-up Blaze Photonics. 

2005

We acquired LG Laser GmbH, the foundation of NKT Photonics GmbH. 

2007

Koheras merges with NKT Research. 

2009

NKT Photonics was established by merging the companies Crystal Fibre and Koheras.  

Crystal Fibre was the largest commercial supplier of photonic crystal fibers. Koheras was the leading company in low-noise lasers and SuperK supercontinuum white light lasers. 

Our US subsidiary, NKT Photonics Inc, was established.

2013

The first Koheras lasers were sent into space as part of ESA’s magnetic field mission, Swarm. 

2014

We established a sales office in China. 

2016

We acquired Fianium, a UK-based fiber laser manufacturer. 

2017

We acquired, Onefive, a Swiss ultrafast laser manufacturer, and pulsed laser diode specialists, Advanced Laser Diode Systems, ALS. 

2019

We opened a site in Boston. 

2024

We were acquired by Hamamatsu Photonics.