Recollections on the founding of Spectra Diode Labs, Inc. (SDL, Inc.)

Spectra Diode Labs, Inc. (now named SDL, Inc.) was officially established on April 1, 1983, as a joint venture by Spectra-Physics, Inc., and Xerox Corporation. It was the first significant commercial supplier of quality high-power semiconductor diode lasers for governmental and commercial applications. Accordingly, it helped pave the way for the "revolution" that has taken place in the laser industry in the use of high-power semiconductor diode lasers and the attendant derivative systems, diode-pumped solid-state lasers that are rapidly replacing traditional gas and flashlamp-pumped solid-state lasers for many applications. Additionally the company has helped lead the burgeoning telecommunications market with, among other offerings, diode lasers that pump erbium-doped fiber amplifiers that form the heart of the WDM telecom systems. As one measure of its success an offer was made on July 10, 2000, to acquire SDL, Inc., for $41 B which represents the largest high-technology takeover ever. Briefly reviewed here is the early history of SDL, Inc.