Apr 28 2009
Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I.F), a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for medical, industrial and scientific markets, is pleased to announce that the NA61 Experiment at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Switzerland, has submitted purchase orders for Zecotek’s proprietary third generation Micro-pixel Avalanche Photo Diodes (MAPD-3N). This is the second major experiment at CERN to order MAPD-3Ns, the first being the previously announced purchase order from the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment.
“As one of the world’s most important centres for scientific research, it is gratifying to receive yet another welcome endorsement from CERN for our technological solutions,” said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek. “The importance of the experiments at CERN cannot be understated. The Large Hadron Collider is the largest and most powerful particle accelerator ever built and is central to the next generation of scientific experiments at CERN. We look forward to supporting the various scientific teams at CERN with our technology in this tremendous quest of understanding the makeup of the universe”.
The goal of the NA61 Experiment is to measure the production of hadrons (a class of subatomic particles) in heavy ion collisions and to search for the critical point of strongly interacting matter. A new measuring device, the Projectile Spectator Detector calorimeter (PSD), will be used to measure the number of the non-interacting particles in the collisions, on an event-by-event basis. The PSD will allow experimenters to determine the number of particles participating in the reaction, made possible through Zecotek’s MAPD-3N’s unique high pixel density of 15,000/mm2. The MAPD-3N provides the linear response and energy resolution, amongst other characteristics, required for these ultra sensitive experiments.
CERN’s decision to incorporate the MAPD as the critical sensing technology for its new PSD followed several months of extensive testing and represents yet another market for the proprietary devices. The MAPDs will be delivered through Zecotek Imaging Systems Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based and wholly-owned subsidiary.
The Board of Directors of the Company has approved the granting of 2,880,000 common share options ("stock options") pursuant to the Corporation's incentive stock option plan (the "Plan") to the directors, officers and employees (the "optionee") of the Company. The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors who make allocations from time to time to eligible persons after considering their present and potential contributions and value to the Company. Each stock option can be exercised by the optionee into common shares of the Company, issued from treasury, at an exercise price of $0.65 per share. The term of the stock options granted under the Plan will be five years, vesting over 18 months with 25% vesting immediately and 25% every subsequent six month period. The stock options granted are in accordance with regulatory policy as determined by the TSX Venture Exchange. The proposed granting of these stock options is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.