Finisar Introduces Low Cost VCSEL Technology and High Reliability Packaging Specifically Designed for Industrial and Commercial Sensing Applications

VCSEL-Based Reflective Sensors Offer Considerable Advantages Over Edge-Emitting Lasers and LEDs


SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - June 13, 2007) - The world's largest VCSEL manufacturer, Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) today introduced two new VCSEL-based (Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) reflective sensors for a wide range of high-volume industrial and commercial applications requiring transmissive, photo-reflective, absorptive and scattering sensing capabilities. These applications include industrial optical encoders, commercial printers, gas detection, and turbidity sensors. These products will be on display at Laser 2007 in Munich, June 18-21.

VCSEL-based reflective sensors have considerable advantages over optical edge-emitting-laser and LED-based sensing technologies, offering higher resolution, concentric beam profile, better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), higher speed, and improved reliability. For example, these sensors operate with an SNR greater than 20 dB, far exceeding other reflective sensor technologies.

The HVS6003-001 package comes in a high reliability, high temperature hermetic TO can with integral lens capable of operating over -40 to 85 degrees C. It emits a narrow, coherent output at 850 nm, and its focusing optics produce a spot at ~15 mm from the package. Reflected light is detected by an integral phototransistor. The HVS6003-002 utilizes the same VCSEL and phototransistor as the HVS6003-001 but alternatively comes in an industry-standard, low cost, surface mountable leadframe package. Particularly suited to commercial applications such as printers and peripherals, the HVS6003-002 illuminates the target without a lens and can easily detect targets beyond the range of LED-based sensors at higher speeds and at a fraction of the drive current.

"With these new offerings, Finisar has brought its unique VCSEL design, quality, reliability, and volume manufacturing capacity to high-volume sensing applications," said John Kavanagh, General Manager and Vice President, Finisar Advanced Optical Components. "With our VCSEL-based sensors, Finisar can provide outstanding value and performance for a number of new sensor applications."

Shipping now, the price of the low cost, small-sized HVS6003-002 in surface mountable package is $2 each, and the robust, hermetic HVS6003-001 TO-can reflective sensor is $5, both in 1000-unit quantities. High-volume capacities, as well as custom configurations, are available. For more information about Finisar's optical sensor solutions, visit www.finisar.com/aoc.php or call 1-866-MY-VCSEL. Customers can see the new sensors at Laser 2007 at Finisar's stand B2.554.

About Finisar

Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) is a global technology leader for fiber optic components and subsystems and network test and monitoring systems. These products enable high-speed voice, video and data communications for networking, storage and wireless applications over Local Area Networks (LANs), Storage Area Networks (SANs), and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) using Ethernet, Fibre Channel, IP, SAS, SATA and SONET/SDH protocols. The Company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, USA. More information can be found at www.finisar.com.

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The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Finisar's expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to Finisar as of the date hereof, and Finisar assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include those associated with the rapidly evolving markets for Finisar's products and uncertainty regarding the development of these markets; Finisar's historical dependence on sales to a limited number of customers and fluctuations in the mix of customers in any period; ongoing new product development and introduction of new and enhanced products; the challenges of rapid growth followed by periods of contraction; and intensive competition. Further information regarding these and other risks relating to Finisar's business is set forth in Finisar's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other interim reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact Information: MEDIA CONTACT: Victoria McDonald Finisar Corporation (408) 542-4261 victoria.mcdonald@finisar.com