Uviquity gains Coherent’s ex-CEO to build quantum photonics

Uviquity has enlisted Dr. Vincent D. (“Chuck”) Mattera, Jr., former Chair and CEO of Coherent Corp., as a Strategic Advisor to advance its specialized photonics platform. The deep-tech company is building integrated circuits on an aluminum nitride (AlN) foundation, a material uniquely suited for quantum systems and ultraviolet applications. “Uviquity has developed a remarkable integrated AlN photonics platform with the potential to unlock capabilities that existing photonics technologies cannot easily achieve,” said Dr. Mattera, who previously grew II-VI Incorporated from $150 million to over $5 billion in annual revenue. Chuck Mattera to Advise Uviquity’s Quantum Photonics Scale-Up Dr. Vincent D. (“Chuck”) Mattera, Jr., a veteran of scaling deep-tech companies, has accepted a role as Strategic Advisor with Uviquity, signaling confidence in the firm’s aluminum nitride (AlN) photonics platform. Mattera’s previous tenure as Chair and CEO of Coherent Corp., following his leadership at II-VI Incorporated, demonstrates a pattern of successfully guiding foundational technologies toward commercial viability. Uviquity intends to leverage this expertise as it expands production of its integrated photonic circuits. The appointment arrives as Uviquity focuses on three key application areas: quantum systems, advanced sensing, and deep ultraviolet technologies. This multi-pronged strategy distinguishes the company from many quantum-focused startups, potentially diversifying revenue streams and mitigating risk. Uviquity’s platform is built upon aluminum nitride, an ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor chosen for its unique properties and suitability for quantum applications. Unlike silicon, AlN remains transparent deep into the ultraviolet spectrum, enabling functionality across a broader range of wavelengths. This material’s inherent characteristics also allow for on-chip light routing, wavelength conversion, modulation, and acoustic control, capabilities not readily available on other integrated platforms. Scott Burroughs, CEO and co-founder of Uviquity, emphasized the strategic importance of Mattera’s involvement. “Chuck has spent his career identifying foundational technologies early and transforming them into global businesses,” Burroughs said. “We believe integrated AlN photonics can become a foundational platform technology serving quantum systems, advanced sensing, and future deep ultraviolet applications.” The company’s initial commercialization pathway centers on deep-UV laser modules for advanced spectroscopy and analytical instrumentation, with sampling to original equipment manufacturers scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. Uviquity announced its first chip-scale laser operating at 229 nm in May of this year, a development intended for use in semiconductor inspection, pharmaceutical production, and environmental monitoring. He joined II-VI Incorporated in 2004, growing the company’s annual revenue from approximately $150 million to over $5 billion during his tenure as CEO from 2016 to 2024. He then oversaw the acquisition of Finisar and Coherent, Inc., ultimately rebranding the combined entity as Coherent Corp. in 2022. Prior to these roles, Mattera spent two decades at&T Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, and Agere Systems, focusing on the development and manufacturing of semiconductor lasers. Following his retirement from Coherent, he founded Avalanche Thinking, Inc. The potential of Uviquity’s platform extends beyond current applications; the company is actively engaged in research collaborations and early customer programs focused on atomic clocks, quantum sensing, and next-generation quantum computing architectures. A joint development agreement with BluGlass Limited, currently in Phase II, focuses on refining the heterogeneously integrated photonic integrated circuit platform, wafer processing, packaging, and laser integration. Mattera articulated his attraction to Uviquity’s approach. “Throughout my career, I have been drawn to technologies that will underpin growth markets and are capable of redefining industries rather than just incrementally improving existing products,” he said. “What excites me most is the opportunity to help Uviquity build a business that can transform breakthrough science into enduring industrial leadership. I look forward to working with Scott and the team as they build a scalable photonics platform serving multiple strategic markets from a common semiconductor foundation.” The combination of Uviquity’s technology and Mattera’s experience suggests an ambitious effort to establish a new standard in integrated photonics, potentially mirroring the impact of silicon photonics on data center interconnects. Chuck has spent his career identifying foundational technologies early and transforming them into global businesses. Scott Burroughs, CEO and co-founder of Uviquity Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-coherent-ceo-chuck-mattera-joins-uviquity-as-strategic-advisor-to-accelerate-the-companys-aluminum-nitride-photonics-platform-for-quantum-and-advanced-sensing-302844613.html Stay currentSee today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals. Tags: