Founders
Andreas Umbach, Co-Founder and CEO
Andreas Umbach studied physics at the Technische Hochschule Darmstadt and at the Technische Universität Berlin, where he received his degree in physics. In 1989, he joined the Heinrich-Hertz-Institut in Berlin. His work in the department of microfabrication technology, concentrated on the development of Indium-Phosphide process technology e.g. for the fabrication of high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) and waveguide-integrated photodiodes. As a project manager, he engaged in the design and technology of high-speed photodetectors and on the integration of optoelectronic monolithic mm-wave integrated circuits (OEMMICs). Andreas Umbach has authored and co-authored numerous articles and publications. In 1998, he and two colleagues founded u²t Innovative Optoelectronic Components GmbH, which is now a leading supplier for ultra-fast devices for optical fibre communications. After merging with LKF Advanced Optics GmbH, he is now Founder and CEO of u²t Photonics AG.
Günter Unterbörsch, Co-Founder and COO
Günter Unterbörsch has worked for more than 20 years in the field of mm-wave applications. At HHI, he worked at InP-based optoelectronic devices covering the range from device physics, simulation and design to all the required measurement techniques such as RF and noise measurements. Furthermore, he worked on packaging issues especially looking for best RF performance. He specialized in building new types of optical receivers which has led to more than 100 published papers. For examples, with the aid of other colleges, he developed one of the first pinFETs and pinHEMTs, the first integrated balanced and first narrowband 60 GHz receiver. During that time, he managed various technology projects whilst working with the management team of HHI. In 1998, he founded u²t with D. Trommer and A. Umbach. Günter Unterbörsch acts as COO with a special focus on new measurement and packaging techniques. He is also involved in developing new components. Günter Unterbörsch holds a degree in physics. In 2000, he won the German ITG price.
Dirk Trommer, Co-Founder
Dirk Trommer received his physics degree from the Technische Universität Berlin in 1987. In 1987, he joined the Heinrich-Hertz-Institut in Berlin where he worked on the design and technology of indium-phosphide-based optoelectronic integrated circuits, photonic integrated circuits, ultra-fast photodetectors and WDM devices. As a project manager he was engaged in international cooperative projects. Together with two other scientists, he founded u²t innovative Optoelectronic Components GmbH in 1998, which has now become u²t photonics AG. Dirk Trommer is in particular responsible for the continuous improvement of the design of u²t`s ultra-fast components.