M Squared Lasers

M Squared Lasers was a Scotland-based laser and photonics company headquartered in Glasgow, with a United States subsidiary, M Squared Lasers Inc., in San Jose, California. Established in 2005 by Graham Malcolm and Gareth Maker, the company was formed by entrepreneurs with substantial prior experience in Scotland’s optoelectronics sector. Before creating M Squared Lasers, Malcolm and Maker had founded Microlase in 1992 as a spinout from the University of Strathclyde. Microlase was acquired by Coherent in 2000, after which the two founders held senior positions connected with Coherent Scotland. The company designed and manufactured specialized laser sources and photonic instruments rather than competing primarily as a mass-market consumer electronics brand. Its technology portfolio addressed demanding applications in academic and industrial research, remote sensing, biophotonics, defence, and metrology. Technical areas associated with the business included diode-pumped solid-state titanium-sapphire lasers, mid-infrared systems, and terahertz lasers. These technologies are used where wavelength control, spectral performance, stability, precision, and compatibility with complex laboratory or field equipment are important. M Squared’s positioning was that of a high-end photonics technology supplier serving research-intensive and technically specialized customers. Its product scope included tunable lasers, ultrafast and specialty laser systems, and related photonic instruments. The company’s Glasgow base placed it within the United Kingdom’s established university-linked and industrial optoelectronics ecosystem, while its San Jose subsidiary supported access to North American customers and partners. The company’s development was associated with recognition of its founders and with the wider growth of advanced photonics in Scotland. Malcolm received the Katharine Burr Blodgett Medal and Prize in 2008, in part in recognition of his work founding Microlase and developing businesses in the field. In February 2012, M Squared announced that Peter Bordui, formerly chairman of Oclaro, would become chairman, adding experienced leadership from the international optical communications industry. M Squared Lasers later encountered severe operational and financing pressures. In August 2025, it entered administration and announced that it was seeking buyers for its assets after failing to secure sufficient investor funding to continue trading. The company identified difficulties recruiting skilled personnel and supply-chain disruption among the factors contributing to its financial problems. Because the business entered administration and sought asset buyers rather than announcing a continuing operating structure, its former brand and product portfolio should be understood as belonging to a company whose trading status ended or became uncertain in 2025.

M Squared Lasers emerged from the Scottish optoelectronics and university-technology-transfer environment. Its founders, Graham Malcolm and Gareth Maker, had already established a commercial track record before creating the company. In 1992, they founded Microlase as a spinout from the University of Strathclyde. Microlase focused on advanced laser and optoelectronic technology and was later acquired by Coherent in 2000. Malcolm and Maker subsequently held senior roles associated with Coherent Scotland, giving them experience in developing and commercializing specialist laser products within a larger international photonics organization. In 2005, Malcolm and Maker established M Squared Lasers in Glasgow. The new company concentrated on technically demanding laser sources and photonic instruments for customers that required performance beyond conventional industrial or general-purpose systems. Its work covered academic research, remote sensing, biophotonics, defence, and metrology. The company was particularly associated with diode-pumped solid-state titanium-sapphire technology, mid-infrared lasers, and terahertz systems. These fields support applications such as precision measurement, spectroscopy, biological imaging, environmental and atmospheric sensing, and other research or security-related uses. M Squared operated from Scotland while developing an international customer and business footprint. Its subsidiary, M Squared Lasers Inc., was based in San Jose, California, giving the business a presence in the United States and in the wider North American technology market. The company’s commercial identity centered on specialized engineering, application support, and the supply of high-performance laser systems rather than on high-volume consumer sales. The founders’ earlier contribution to Scottish photonics continued to be recognized after M Squared was established. Malcolm received the Katharine Burr Blodgett Medal and Prize in 2008, partly for founding Microlase. In February 2012, M Squared announced the appointment of Peter Bordui as chairman. Bordui’s prior association with Oclaro brought experience from optical communications and international photonics management. The company ultimately faced financial and operational difficulties. In August 2025, M Squared announced that it had entered administration and was seeking buyers for its assets. It reported that it had been unable to secure sufficient investor funding to continue trading. The company also pointed to challenges in recruiting suitably skilled staff and disruptions in supply chains. The administration marked a major break in the company’s operating history and left the future of its products, assets, and intellectual property dependent on any subsequent sale or restructuring.

• 2025

  Administration and search for asset buyers

  [1]M Squared Lasersen.wikipedia.org

  M Squared entered administration after failing to secure sufficient funding to continue trading and began seeking buyers for its assets.

• 2012

  Peter Bordui becomes chairman

  [1]M Squared Lasersen.wikipedia.org

  M Squared announced that former Oclaro chairman Peter Bordui would take the chairmanship of the company.

• 2008

  Malcolm receives the Katharine Burr Blodgett Medal and Prize

  [1]M Squared Lasersen.wikipedia.org

  Graham Malcolm received the Katharine Burr Blodgett Medal and Prize, with the recognition partly connected to his founding of Microlase.

• 2005

  M Squared Lasers established

  [1]M Squared Lasersen.wikipedia.org

  Graham Malcolm and Gareth Maker founded M Squared Lasers in Glasgow to develop and manufacture specialized lasers and photonic instruments.

• 2000

  Microlase acquired by Coherent

  [1]M Squared Lasersen.wikipedia.org

  Microlase was acquired by Coherent, connecting its founders to Coherent’s Scottish operations and the international laser industry.

• 1992

  Microlase founded as a University of Strathclyde spinout

  [1]M Squared Lasersen.wikipedia.org

  Graham Malcolm and Gareth Maker founded Microlase as an optoelectronics company spun out from the University of Strathclyde, establishing the business background from which M Squared Lasers later developed.

High-performance laser and photonics supplier for research-intensive, industrial, sensing, defence, biophotonics, and metrology applications.

• Laser systems

  Tunable laser systems

  M Squared’s tunable laser systems were designed to provide controlled wavelength selection for applications including spectroscopy, sensing, metrology, and laboratory research. Tunability is valuable when users need to interrogate different atomic, molecular, or material responses without changing the complete light source. The systems formed part of the company’s broader high-performance photonics offering.

• Solid-state lasers

  Titanium-sapphire laser systems

  The company specialized in diode-pumped solid-state titanium-sapphire lasers. Titanium-sapphire systems are used in demanding research and measurement environments because they can provide broad wavelength access and high optical performance. M Squared’s work in this area reflected its focus on advanced scientific and photonic instrumentation rather than commodity laser products.

• Specialty lasers

  Mid-infrared laser systems

  M Squared developed mid-infrared laser technology for applications in spectroscopy, remote sensing, environmental measurement, and other fields where molecular absorption characteristics in the mid-infrared range are useful. These systems addressed specialized customers requiring controlled, stable, and application-specific infrared sources.

• Specialty lasers

  Terahertz laser systems

  Terahertz laser technology was among the technical areas associated with M Squared Lasers. Terahertz sources can support research in spectroscopy, imaging, sensing, and materials analysis. The company’s participation in this field reinforced its role as a specialist developer of photonics platforms for research and advanced instrumentation.

• Photonics instrumentation

  Photonic instruments

  Beyond individual laser sources, M Squared supplied photonic instruments and systems for academic, industrial, defence, biophotonics, remote-sensing, and metrology applications. These offerings were intended to integrate laser performance with the measurement, sensing, or experimental requirements of specialist users.

• 2025

  Seek buyers for company assets after entering administrationStrategy

  Background

  M Squared reported that it could not obtain enough investor funding to continue trading and faced difficulties including skilled-staff shortages and supply-chain disruption.

  Action taken

  The company entered administration and sought buyers for its assets.

  Aftermath

  The administration interrupted the company’s operations and left the disposition of its assets and business activities dependent on a potential sale or restructuring.

  Source

• 2012

  Appoint an experienced photonics-sector chairmanStrategy

  Background

  As a specialist laser company serving international scientific and industrial markets, M Squared appointed Peter Bordui, a former Oclaro chairman, to lead its board.

  Action taken

  The company announced Bordui’s appointment as chairman in February 2012.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material does not provide a detailed assessment of the appointment’s subsequent commercial impact.

  Source

1. 1M Squared Lasersen.wikipedia.org