History of NKT Photonics
1891
Nordiske Kabel og Traadfabriker (today NKT) was founded by Prior in 1891 and has been a listed company since 1898.
Over the next 90 years the company grew into one of Denmark’s foremost industrial enterprises, with focus on cable production (electricity, power and telecommunication cables), but also active in the production of nails, screws and other hardware for the Danish market.
1980
NKT starts production of optical fibers in Denmark. In 1987 NKT and AT&T creates a joint venture under the name LYCOM. LYCOM later becomes part of Lucent Technologies, Lucent Technologies Denmark, the predecessor of OFS Fitel Denmark.
1997
The first Koheras low-noise single-frequency fiber lasers were introduced into the market
2000
NKT establishes several R&D companies. Among them are Crystal Fibre and Koheras (Ionas at the time) that would form the foundation of NKT Photonics.
NKT divests GiGA to Intel
The first commercial photonic crystal fibers were introduced into the market by Crystal Fibre
2003
The first SuperK supercontinuum white light lasers were introduced into the market.
2004
Crystal Fibre acquires UK start-up Blaze Photonics
2005
Acquisition of LG Laser GmbH and later establishing NKT Photonics GmbH
2007
Koheras merges with NKT Research
2009
Crystal Fibre – the largest commercial supplier of microstructured specialty fiber and Koheras – the leading company within low noise lasers and SuperK supercontinuum white light lasers, merge and become NKT Photonics.
Establishing NKT Photonics Inc.
2013
The first Koheras lasers are sent into space as part of ESA’s magnetic field mission, Swarm.
2014
Establishing NKT Photonics China
2016
German DTS specialists LIOS Technology becomes part of NKT Photonics
NKT Photonics acquires UK fiber laser manufacturer Fianium
2017
NKT Photonics acquires Swiss ultrafast laser manufacturer Onefive and pulsed laser diode specialists Advanced Laser Diode Systems, ALS.
2019
Opening of our US manufacturing site in Boston