July 16, 2025 - Hawthorn Photonics, a global leader in nonlinear optical solutions and parent company of Covesion Ltd. in the UK and AdvR Inc. in the US, has acquired Radiantis, the first spin-off company of ICFO, innovator in advanced tunable laser technology and Optical Parametric Oscillators (OPOs). This acquisition signals a major step forward for the group as it strengthens its position at the forefront of photonics innovation.

Radiantis, the brainchild of ICREA Prof. at ICFO Majid Ebrahim-Zadeh, was created in 2005 with the goal of transforming his academic research into innovative technology. Two decades on, Radiantis is a leading supplier of start-of-the-art solutions for laser tuning worldwide, offering best-in-class OPOs and frequency conversion sources including various harmonic generators. The turnkey systems offered by Radiantis are capable of addressing the difficult spectral regions from the UV to the mid-IR, which are not available to lasers, and cover all temporal domains from the continuous-wave to ultrafast femtosecond time-scales.

With this acquisition, all three companies, Covesion, AdvR, and Radiantis, are united by a shared vision: to deliver high-performance, cutting-edge solutions for the rapidly evolving photonics sector. The renowned expertise of Radiantis in state-of-the-art OPOs and tunable laser systems enhances the group’s existing portfolio of wavelength conversion technologies and phase modulators.

“The acquisition of Radiantis represents an opportunity to accelerate our growth and innovation,” said Mike Day, President at Hawthorn Photonics. “By integrating Radiantis’ advanced technologies and talented team, we’re strengthening our ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the ever-evolving and complex demands of the photonics community.”

Working for more than twenty years in the field of nonlinear optics, ICREA Prof. at ICFO Majid Ebrahim-Zadeh, where he served as President and Scientific Advisor, with Dr. Sara Otero as CEO. He is absolutely “thrilled to share the news of acquisition of Radiantis by Hawthorn Photonics”. For him, this acquisition signifies “an exciting milestone in the twenty-year history of Radiantis. I am proud that during the past twenty years Radiantis has employed over thirty personnel including several talented PhD graduates from ICFO who have contributed to the success of the company. This acquisiton represents a strategic partnership with strong synergy, complementary expertise and shared vision, which will enhance innovation, heralding a new era for Radiantis, expanding its technology platform and accelerating growth. I am committed to this new challenge and an exciting future for Radiantis."

With the addition of Radiantis' competencies to Covesion and AdvR the group will now offer an expanded suite of photonics solutions, including:

• Tunable laser systems for spectroscopy and imaging applications.
• Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) to generate broadly tunable, coherent light with high power and wavelength versatility.
• Advanced nonlinear crystals and waveguides designed for second harmonic generation (SHG), difference frequency generation (DFG), and a wide range of other non-linear applications.
• Phase modulators for visible wavelengths.

Together, the companies are ideally positioned to provide a comprehensive range of solutions for applications spanning quantum technologies – quantum computing, biophotonics, medical imaging, industrial processes, environmental monitoring, and advanced scientific research.

Radiantis’ skilled team of engineers and scientists will join Covesion and AdvR and by combining their unique set of capabilities, the Hawthorn Photonics Group will be able to deliver a broader range of high-performance, reliable solutions to new and existing markets. Radiantis brings a strong reputation for excellence, with its products widely recognised for their precision, stability, and innovation. The integrated knowledge and resources of the three organisations creates a centre equipped to meet the growing demand for next-generation photonics systems.