September 17, 2002--PowerNetix, a provider of leading-edge, high-performance laser modules, announced that it has achieved a significant milestone. The PowerNetix high-power, singlemode 980-nm 9000 Series laser module is now qualified as having met the rigorous mechanical and environmental conditions set forth in the most recent version of Telcordia GR-486-CORE.

In addition to meeting accelerated aging, mechanical and thermal shock, vibration, thermal-cycling and other requirements, the 9000 Series has been demonstrated to comply with Telcordia's extremely demanding "high-temperature storage and damp-heat storage" specification. The 9000 Series successfully completed 1,000 hours of testing with less than 0.2 dB change at 85 degrees Celsius and 85% humidity. At the conclusion of the test, the water content of the module's internal atmosphere was below measurable limits (less than one part per million).

PowerNetix is committed to providing Telcordia-qualified products that can withstand harsh operating environments. Telcordia qualification is significant because it demonstrates that the PowerNetix 980-nm 9000 series laser module meets the long-term reliability standards required for use in optical amplifiers and fiber lasers in today's high-speed optical telecom networks.

The 9000 Series provides performance, quality, reliability and cost advantages to manufacturers of erbium-doped optical amplifiers, erbium-doped waveguide amplifiers, and fiber lasers. The 9000 series comes in a low profile, 14-pin butterfly package with a fiber Bragg grating and delivers more than 400 mW of kink-free power at either 975 or 980 nm. The standard configuration is a full floating pin layout pigtailed with pure-mode, 1060-Bragg grating stabilized fiber for wavelength stabilization.

All PowerNetix high-power laser modules are produced using patented Uniline technology. Uniline is a truly disruptive technology in which no welding, epoxy or solder is used to align and fix the fiber. Uniline is well-suited for producing modules for use in applications where high performance, reliability and long-term stability are the key requirements.

Founded in October 2000 and located in San Jose, CA, PowerNetix is a provider of high-performance laser modules to commercial and government customers. For more information, visit the company's Web site: www.powernetixinc.com.