Confluent Photonics Corporation, a newly formed company developing wafer-scale integrated optical components for telecommunications, has received $11 million investment funding in a round led by InnoCal Venture Capital with participation by Rustic Canyon Ventures, Invesco Private Capital and CIT Venture Capital.

Confluent Photonics will first focus on designing and manufacturing components for use in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing ("DWDM") applications. A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) has been signed with the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Future product plans include the development of both passive and active devices, all using a patent-applied-for common structural element.

Three of the four Confluent Photonics founders were with Physical Sciences Inc., shareholder in the new corporation. David Hardwick, co-founder and formerly Vice President and General Manager of IPG Photonics Corporation, has been named President and CEO. Confluent Photonics is currently located in Andover, MA and plans to establish a new facility in the Greater Boston area.