‘We work closely with our customers to develop fiber solutions tailored to their specific requirements, ensuring optimal performance and cost-effectiveness’: Viacheslav Artyushenko (of art photonics GmbH) said while speaking with The Silicon Review

“We take pride in our ability to provide innovative and reliable products that contribute to advancements in various industries.”

art photonics GmbH is the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of optical fiber solutions. It’s the only company in the world that offers full vertical technology for the industrial production of Silver Halide Polycrystalline PIR-fibers. The company also offers other specialty fibers, such as Hollow Waveguides, Chalcogenide glass CIR-fibers, metal-coated Silica fibers, and more.

art photonics is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

The Silicon Review reached out to Viacheslav "Slava" Artyushenko, founder and President of art photonics GmbH, and here’s what he had to say.

Interview Highlights

Q. What circumstances or events led to the creation of art photonics GmbH? Please brief us about the history so far.

In 1998, I founded art photonics GmbH in Berlin with a mission to develop Mid IR-fiber technology and create various products based on it. The company's creation was driven by my ambition to be a pioneer in new areas and to find a different path rather than following the common one. Starting with limited support, I embarked on the pure organic growth of art photonics, focusing on the development and market creation of Mid IR-fiber products. Over the years, we have become the only company worldwide with the full vertical technology of industrial production of Silver Halide Polycrystalline PIR-fibers, and we have expanded our product portfolio to include a broad range of specialty fiber products. Our journey has been challenging, but it has made us stronger and more determined to excel in the field of fiber optics.

Q. As a leading manufacturer and supplier of optical fiber solutions, what are art photonics' key focus areas?

art photonics focuses on several key areas. Firstly, our primary focus is on the development and production of specialty fiber products for a broad spectrum ranging from 300nm to 16µm. We specialize in the production of Silver Halide Polycrystalline PIR-fibers, which are unique and have a wide range of applications. Additionally, we offer a broad portfolio of specialty fibers, including Chalcogenide glass CIR-fibers, metal-coated Silica fibers, IR-glass fibers, and Hollow Waveguides. These fiber products are used in various industries such as medical diagnostics, industrial process control, laser technology, biotechnologies, and more. Another area of focus for us is customization. We work closely with our customers to develop fiber solutions tailored to their specific requirements, ensuring optimal performance and cost-effectiveness. Overall, our key focus areas revolve around innovation, quality, and meeting the diverse needs of our customers.

Q. Can you provide us with one or two success stories describing the challenges your clients faced and how art photonics helped them overcome those challenges?

With one of our collaborators, we were developing a fiber probe for tumor margin detection in real time – using Raman spectroscopy. This task required a small and disposable probe integrated into the needle, which will be able to achieve accurate and reliable measurements. Our team at art photonics took on the challenge and developed an innovative fiber solution specifically designed for this application. Through our expertise in fiber optics, we were able to provide a customized fiber probe that enabled them to detect tumor margins effectively in real-time.

In another instance, a company in the industrial process control sector approached us with a unique requirement for fiber cables that could withstand high temperatures and harsh environments. They were struggling to find a suitable solution in the market. Leveraging our expertise in specialty fiber products, we worked closely with the client to develop customized fiber cables using our high-quality fibers with enhanced temperature resistance and durability. This enabled them to successfully implement their process control system, even in challenging operating conditions.

These success stories demonstrate our commitment to understanding our clients' needs and developing tailored fiber solutions to overcome their specific challenges. We take pride in our ability to provide innovative and reliable products that contribute to advancements in various industries.

Q. Tell us, what’s next for art photonics GmbH?

Firstly, we aim to further expand our product portfolio and technological capabilities. We are continuously investing in research and development to innovate and create new fiber solutions for a wide range of applications. Our goal is to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and address the evolving needs of our customers.

Additionally, we are actively seeking partnerships and joint ventures with companies that share our vision of developing fiber products for promising volume applications. Collaborating with like-minded organizations will not only enhance our sales and marketing competencies but also enable us to explore new market opportunities and reach a broader customer base.

Furthermore, we have plans to extend our services by connecting with more distributors in the United States and Asia in 2023. This expansion will allow us to better serve our customers in these regions and strengthen our global presence.

We also have ambitious goals for the integration of our fiber technology into the manufacturing of combi-spectral fiber sensors, Mid-IR-endoscopes, flexible 3D IR-vision systems, fiber-coupled Mid-IR laser systems, and other promising products. These innovative solutions will contribute to advancements in fields such as medical diagnostics, industrial process control, and environmental monitoring.

Overall, our future roadmap is centered around continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, global expansion, and the development of cutting-edge fiber solutions. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and are committed to driving growth while maintaining our focus on delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service.

Q. Is there anything you would like to add before we wrap up?

Before we conclude, I would like to express my gratitude to our customers, partners, and dedicated team at art photonics GmbH. It is through their support, trust, and collaboration that we have been able to achieve our current position as a global leader in specialty fiber products.

I also want to emphasize our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. We strive to exceed customer expectations by delivering high-performance fiber solutions that meet their specific needs. We are dedicated to continuous improvement and maintaining the highest standards in all aspects of our operations.

I encourage anyone interested in exploring the potential of fiber optics and photonics to reach out to us. We are always open to new collaborations and partnerships that drive innovation and contribute to the advancement of various industries.

Lastly, I want to express my unwavering belief in the power of teamwork and the importance of empowering our employees. We value each member of our team and their contributions to our success. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of fiber optics and photonics.

Thank you for this opportunity to share our story and vision. We are excited about the future and look forward to further advancements, growth, and partnerships in the field of optical fiber solutions.

Viacheslav "Slava" Artyushenko | Founder & President

Viacheslav "Slava" Artyushenko is a pioneering figure in the field of Mid IR-fiber optics. With a rich background in scientific collaboration and entrepreneurship, he has played a significant role in the development and production of specialty fiber products.

In the late 1980s, during the "perestroika" era, Artyushenko organized the first Soviet Chapter of SPIE (Society of Photo-Instrument Engineering) and the SPIE Conference on Lasers & Medicine in Tashkent, marking a significant milestone in the field of optics in the USSR. This led to his nickname "Icebreaker," reflecting his ambition to be a trailblazer in new areas.

“We are continuously investing in R&D to innovate and create new fiber solutions for a wide range of applications.”