Wednesday, October 25, 2017


JENOPTIK Further Expands Manufacturing Capacity with a New Class 5 Cleanroom
      25 October 2017, Jupiter, FL USA — Jenoptik Optical Systems, LLC, a leading worldwide supplier of high performance optical solutions, announces the expansion of its manufacturing operations in Florida. Jenoptik opened a new ISO 14644 Class 5 cleanroom with state-of-the-art filtration technology for high-precision optical assemblies to support applications with demanding cleanliness requirements like semiconductor and space flight instrumentation. Additionally, Jenoptik has extended site capabilities by investing in a new thermal vacuum chamber in the cleanroom. The Class 5 cleanroom complements the pre-existing ISO 14644 Class 7 cleanroom and triples the amount of cleanroom space in Florida.
      Jenoptik’s continued expansion in Florida is the direct result of customer volume requirements for the company’s products. This new facility complements the cleanroom capacity in Huntsville, AL. The Huntsville facility is purpose-built to meet the rigorous requirements of leading-edge semiconductor-related manufacturing activities.
     Jay Kumler, President of Jenoptik Optical Systems in North America, commented, "We are investing in differentiating technologies, advanced equipment and employees, and we are committed to meeting our customers’ expectations for higher levels of cleanliness and contamination control.”
     Leading equipment manufacturers around the globe rely on Jenoptik’s products to build semiconductor devices, telecommunications equipment, digital projection, mobile devices, augmented reality, industrial automation and connected vehicles. Our optical systems are helping lead the digital transformation and internet of things.
     Jenoptik looks forward to the new opportunities the expansion will provide and the partnerships that will be the result of their success. For additional information on Jenoptik’s capabilities please visit www.jenoptik-inc.com

Monday, October 23, 2017

Distinguished Seminar Speaker: "Fun with Fast (but not Furious) Tunable Lasers in the Infrared" by C. Kumar N. Patel, 10.27.17/3:00PM-4:00PM/CREOL RM 102/103

Distinguished Seminar Speaker: "Fun with Fast (but not Furious) Tunable Lasers in the Infrared" by C. Kumar N. Patel
Friday, October 27, 2017 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
CREOL Room 102/103

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C. Kumar N. Patel
Pranalytica, Inc.

Abstract:
The invention and development of all-electronically tuned quantum cascade lasers has made it possible to obtain spectral information, covering over 1 µm in the long wave infrared region, regarding absorbers in less than fraction of a millisecond. The electronic tuning is achieved through the use of a acousto-optically generated phase grating in a crystal. As described previously, the acousto-optic modulator (AOM) tuned QCL is capable of switching lasing wavelengths in time of the order of 0.5 µs, regardless of the size of the wavelength step. The wavelength tuning is achieved via change in the acoustic wave RF frequency. Thus, a complete spectrum covering > 1 µm tuning (for example from ~8.5 µm to ~ 9.5 µm) can be obtained in less than 20 µs, when the RF frequency is changed in response to an analog drive. For experimental reproducibility of spectra, we have implemented a digital scanning system that permits selection of step size and step speed. Using the AOM tuned QCL, we have carried out a number of studies to explore the usefulness of rapid scanning QCL systems. One study involves spectroscopy of liquids. Since almost all liquids absorb very strongly in the long wave infrared region, we have used attenuated total reflection (ATR) to study liquids such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA), ethanol, water, various alcoholic beverage such as vodka, gin and scotch, 2,2,2-trifluroethanol and Epsom salt dissolved in water. In each case a complete spectrum from ~8.5 µm to ~ 9.5 µm is recorded in a single shot 500 µs scan. From these studies, we can verify the claimed “proof” of the alcoholic beverages. In another study, we have explored mixing of gases (R134A HFC bolus injected into a fast flowing stream of air) in a flow tube where time dependent spectra of mixing gases are obtained in >600 consecutive shots during a 300 ms time span. I will describe both studies in detail, including a video showing the flow mixing evolution on millisecond time scale. The fast spectroscopic study of liquids now opens up the potentially exciting area of real time process monitoring in chemical, biological and food and wine industry. The transient flow spectroscopy study clearly indicates that the AOM tuned QCL system will be of immediate use in supersonic flow studies and in the study of combustion and explosion dynamics.

Biography:
Dr. C. Kumar N. Patel is the Founder, President and the CEO of Pranalytica, a company located in Santa Monica, CA, specializing in high power quantum cascade lasers and applications. Pranalytica is the leader in QCL technology through its invention of a radically QCL new structure design, called the non-resonant extraction, which has allowed Pranalytica to offer commercial QCLs that produce highest powers anywhere in the world. He is the inventor of the carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and the Spin-Flip Raman lasers. He pioneered the use of these and other lasers to measure trace gases in difficult environments. He was at AT&T (now Lucent Technologies) Bell Laboratories for thirty-two years and was Executive Director of the Physics Division and of the Materials Research Division. Under his leadership, Bell Labs produced some of the most critical technologies for optical communications. The quantum cascade laser was also invented in Physics Division during his leadership. From 1993 to 1999 he was the Vice Chancellor for Research at UCLA. Dr. Patel was elected to the National Academy of Science in 1974 and the National Academy of Engineering in 1978. Dr. Patel has received every major scientific honor in the United States. He received the National Medal of Science given by the President of the United States in 1996. In 2012, he was inducted into the National Inventors’ Hall of fame. In recognition of the CO2 laser’s importance to the medical field, he has been elected as an Honorary Member of the Gynecologic Laser Surgery Society in 1980 and in 1985 he was elected an Honorary Member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

For more information:
Bahaa Saleh

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Press Release - LightPath Technologies Schedules Fiscal 2018 First Quarter Financial Results Conference Call for November 9


For Immediate Release

LightPath Technologies Schedules Fiscal 2018 First Quarter Financial Results Conference Call for November 9

ORLANDO, FL – October 19, 2017 - LightPath Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPTH) (“LightPath,” the “Company” or “we”), a leading vertically integrated global manufacturerdistributor and integrator of proprietary optical and infrared components and high-level assemblies, today announced the scheduling of its fiscal 2018 first quarter financial results press release issuance and the corresponding conference call and simultaneous webcast.  The press release will be issued on November 9, 2017 after the close of the stock market. 

Investor Conference Call and Webcast Details:

Date: Thursday, November 9, 2017
Time: 4:30 PM (ET)
Dial-in Number: 1-877-317-2514  
International Dial-in Number: 1-412-317-2514 

Participants are recommended to dial-in or log-on approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. A replay of the call will be available approximately one hour after completion through November 23, 2017. To listen to the replay, dial 1-877-344-7529 (domestic) or 1-412-317-0088 (international), and enter conference ID #10113453.

About LightPath Technologies

LightPath Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPTH) is a leading global, vertically integrated provider of optics, photonics and infrared solutions for the industrial, defense, telecommunications, testing and measurement, and medical industries. LightPath designs, manufactures, and distributes proprietary optical and infrared components including molded glass aspheric lenses and assemblies, infrared lenses and thermal imaging assemblies, fused fiber collimators, and gradient index GRADIUM® lenses. LightPath also offers custom optical assemblies, including full engineering design support.  The Company is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, with manufacturing and sales offices in New York, Latvia and China.

LightPath’s wholly-owned subsidiary ISP Optics Corporation manufactures a full range of infrared products from high performance MWIR and LWIR lenses and lens assemblies.  ISP’s infrared lens assembly product line includes athermal lens systems used in cooled and un-cooled thermal imaging cameras.  Manufacturing is performed in-house to provide precision optical components including spherical, aspherical and diffractive coated infrared lenses.  ISP’s optics processes allow it to manufacture its products from all important types of infrared materials and crystals.  Manufacturing processes include CNC grinding and CNC polishing, diamond turning, continuous and conventional polishing, optical contacting and advanced coating technologies.
For more information on LightPath and its businesses, please visit www.lightpath.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes statements that constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our ability to expand our presence in certain markets, future sales growth, continuing reductions in cash usage and implementation of new distribution channels. This information may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, factors detailed by LightPath Technologies, Inc. in its public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Seminar: "Completing Bohr’s Complementarity" by Xiao-Feng Qian, 10.30.17/1:00PM-2:00PM/CREOL RM 103


Seminar: "Completing Bohr’s Complementarity" by Xiao-Feng Qian
Monday, October 30, 2017 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
CREOL Room 103

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Dr. Xiaofeng QianThe Institute of Optics, and Department of Physics & Astronomy
University of Rochester

Abstract:
The understanding of the nature of light has been one of the most fundamental and ancient issues of science history. Wave and particle are two dominating interpretations of light. The debate of light being either a particle or a wave has gone back and forth over the centuries from Newton’s corpuscular theory and Huygens’ wave description in the 17th century, through the prevalence of wave interpretation in the 19th century due to Fresnel, Young, and Maxwell, all the way to Einstein’s photoelectric effect of photon description and de Broglie’s matter wave theory in early 20th century. The widely accepted qualitative resolution has been Bohr’s complementarity principle which states that light is actually BOTH wave and particle but they are two mutually exclusive properties [1]. Initiative search of a comprehensive quantitative analysis of this wave-particle duality picture wasn’t carefully pursued until around the 1980s by Wootters-Zurek, Glauber, and Mandel [2]. The consequence has been the famous complementary constraint relation for single photons, i.e., D2 + V 2 1, repeatedly rediscovered around the 1990s by Greenberger-Yasin, Jaeger-Horne-Shimony, and Englert [3], with visibility V representing wave property and distinguishability D labeling particle behavior. Unfortunately, even almost 40 years after its discovery, no careful attention has been paid to the fact that the inequality D2 + V 2 1 embodies neither completeness nor exclusivity, two essential factors of Bohr’s complementarity. Something must be missing. We solve the issue by performing a quantitative analysis of light’s wave and particle (ray) properties in the classical regime. We recover the relation V 2 + D2 1 for a generic classical light field. By taking into account a previously neglected third key property of the field, i.e., classical entanglement (measured by concurrence C [4]), a generic complete three-way complementary relation V 2+D2+C2 = 1 is observed for the first time to satisfy both completeness and exclusivity. Experimental results of an optical beam interfering through a Mach-Zehnder interferometer has confirmed the theoretical predictions [5]. The three-way relation reveals fundamental coherence constraints of light fields, and it also suggests a modified view of the traditional complementary wave-particle duality for light. The results are also valid for single quantum particles indicating its universality. This work is the result of collaboration with J.H. Eberly and A.N. Vamivakas at Rochester. We would like to thank discussions with G.S. Agarwal, B. Englert, P. Milonni, M. Raymer, W. Schleich, W. Zurek. Support from NSF grants PHY-1203931, PHY-1505189, and INSPIRE PHY-1539859, as well as ARO W911NF-14-1-063, ONR N00014-14-1-0260, and a Univ. Rochester Research Award is acknowledged.

Biography:
Dr. Xiaofeng Qian received his Ph.D. degree in 2014 from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, supervised by Dr. Joseph H Eberly. He then became a Visiting Scientist and subsequently an Instructor/Fellow at the same department. Since July 2015 he joined the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester as a Research Associate. His research focuses on experimental and theoretical issues of quantum and coherence optics. His works in the emerging field of optical coherence/entanglement has received various attention in the physics and optics communities with coverages from professional organizations and science-news websites.

For additional information:
Ayman Abouraddy

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

TOMORROW! Tutorial on Laser Beam Propagation Through Random Media by Larry C. Andrews, 10.12.17/10:00AM-11:30AM/CREOL RM 103

Tutorial on Laser Beam Propagation Through Random Media by Larry C. Andrews
Thursday, October 12, 2017 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
CREOL Room 103

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Larry C. Andrews, Professor Emeritus
Townes Laser Institute, CREOL

Biography: 
Dr. Larry Andrews is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the University of Central Florida and an associate member of the Townes Laser Institute in the College of Optics/CREOL. Previously, he held a faculty position at Tri-State University and was a staff mathematician with the Magnavox Company, antisubmarine warfare (ASW) operation. He received a doctoral degree in in theoretical mechanics in 1970 from Michigan State University. Dr. Andrews has been an active researcher in optical wave propagation through random media for more than 30 years and is the author or co-author of twelve textbooks on topics of differential equations, boundary value problems, special functions, integral transforms, wave propagation through random media, and mathematical techniques for engineers. He is a Fellow of the SPIE and also author of three Field Guides on Atmospheric Optics and Special Functions. Along with wave propagation through random media, his research interests include special functions, random variables, atmospheric turbulence, and signal processing.

For additional information:
Guifang Li

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Seminar: "Boost the Communication Data Rate Using Beams Carrying Orbital Angular Momentum(OAM)" by Guodong Xie, 10.02.17/12:00PM-1:00PM/CREOL RM 103

Seminar: "Boost the Communication Data Rate Using Beams Carrying Orbital Angular Momentum(OAM)" by Guodong Xie
Monday, October 2, 2017 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
CREOL Room 103

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Guodong Xie University of Southern California

Abstract:
There is a continuing growth in the demand for data bandwidth, and the multiplexing of multiple independent data streams has the potential to provide the needed data capacity. One technique uses the spatial domain of an electromagnetic (EM) wave, i.e., space division multiplexing (SDM), has been reported for increased transmission capacity and spectral efficiency of a communication system. A subset of SDM is mode division multiplexing (MDM), in which multiple orthogonal beams each on a different mode can be multiplexed. A potential modal basis set to achieve MDM is to use orbital angular momentum (OAM) of EM waves. In such a system, multiple OAM beams each carrying an independent data stream are multiplexed at the transmitter, propagate through a common medium and are demultiplexed at the receiver. As a result, the total capacity and spectral efficiency of the communication system can be multiplied by a factor equal to the number of transmitted OAM modes. In this talk, the use of OAM multiplexing for high-capacity free-space optical communications will be introduced. In additional, different technical challenges (e.g. atmospheric turbulence and crosstalk) as well as potential techniques to mitigate such degrading effects will be discussed.

Biography:
Guodong Xie was born in Qixia, China. He received his B.E. degree (2009) from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT), Beijing, China, and his M.S. degree (2012) from Peking University (PKU), Beijing, China. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. degree under the supervision of Professor Alan Willner at University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California. He is a student member of the IEEE Photonics Society and the Optical Society of America (OSA). His research focuses include free-space-optical/fiber/millimeter-wave communications, optics/radio-frequency sensing/imaging, and atmospheric optics. He has authored or co-authored 1 book chapter, 1 patent, 39 journal papers, and 60 conference papers, with >1700 Google Scholar citations. He also serves as a frequent reviewer for over 15 journals, including Applied Optics, IEEE Communication Letter, IEEE Transactions on Communications, Optical Communications, Optics Express, and Optics Letters. He is one of the recipients of IEEE Photonic Society Graduate Student Fellowship (2017), Chinese-American Engineers and Scientists Association of Southern California Scholarship (2017), Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad (2016), USC Ming Hsieh Institute Ph.D. Scholar (2016), and USC Provost Graduate Fellowship (2012).

For additional information:
Guifang Li

Friday, September 15, 2017

LPTH Press Release LightPath Technologies Reports 117% Increase in Operating Income for Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter


For Immediate Release

LightPath Technologies Reports 117% Increase in Operating Income for Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter Financial Results

Revenue Increases 90% While Continuing to Focus on Global Market Penetration

ORLANDO, FL – September 14, 2017 – LightPath Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPTH) (“LightPath,” the “Company,” or “we”), a leading vertically integrated global manufacturer, distributor and integrator of proprietary optical and infrared components and high-level assemblies, today announced financial results for the fiscal 2017 fourth quarter and twelve months ended June 30, 2017. The results are in line with the preliminary results issued on August 10, 2017.

Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Highlights:
  • Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 increased 90% to $9.0 million, as compared to $4.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Revenue increased to $28.4 million in fiscal 2017 compared to $17.3 million in fiscal 2016, an increase of 64%.
  • Total costs and expenses as a percentage of revenue continues to decline, improving to 36% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, as compared to 41% in the fourth quarter last year.
  • Operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $1.1 million, an increase of 117% as compared to $522,000 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Fiscal 2017 operating income was $4.2 million, compared to $2.0 million in fiscal 2016.
  • The fourth quarter and year of fiscal 2017 includes a benefit of $5.4 million for an adjustment to the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. Previously, our net operating losses (“NOLs”) had a full valuation allowance. Deferred tax impacts from the acquisition of ISP Optics Corporation (“ISP”) resulted in an adjustment to the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets.
  • Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $6.4 million, as compared to $331,000 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Net income for fiscal 2017 was $7.7 million, as compared to $1.4 million in fiscal 2016.
  • Adjusted net income* for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, which excludes the non-cash income or expense related to the change in fair value of the Company’s warrant liability, was $6.4 million, as compared to $359,000 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. For fiscal 2017, adjusted net income* was $8.2 million, compared to $1.5 million in the prior fiscal year.
  • EBITDA* for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was approximately $2.3 million, as compared to approximately $646,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. EBITDA* for fiscal 2017 was approximately $5.9 million, compared to approximately $2.5 million in fiscal 2016.
  • Adjusted EBITDA*, which excludes the non-cash income or expense related to the change in fair value of the Company’s warrant liability, was $2.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, an increase of 243%, as compared with $673,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. For fiscal 2017, adjusted EBITDA* was approximately $6.3 million, compared to approximately $2.6 million for fiscal 2016.
  • 12-month backlog was approximately $9.3 million at June 30, 2017, as compared to $6.6 million at June 30, 2016.
*This press release includes references to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and gross margin, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is generally defined as a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future performance that excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments, so as to be different from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Our management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the GAAP financial measures, provide information that is useful to investors in understanding period-over-period operating results separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on results in any particular period. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results is provided in this press release in the accompanying tables. A more complete explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Management Comments

Jim Gaynor, President and Chief Executive Officer of LightPath, commented, “LightPath completed fiscal 2017 with very strong fourth quarter financial results. We delivered significant growth in key performance metrics, including revenue, earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA, and cash flow.”

“Management’s imperatives to improve profitability and cash flow through top line growth and operating leverage resulted in meaningful increases in adjusted EBITDA margin. This margin, which excludes the non-cash warrant liability impact, improved to 26% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to 14% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. For the year, our adjusted EBITDA margin was 22%, a 51% improvement over fiscal 2016. At the end of fiscal 2017, our cash balance was $8.1 million, an increase of 178% from the end of the prior fiscal year. Our goal is to grow responsibly through the diversification of our business lines – whether through organic growth or acquisitions – and effectively manage our costs to drive long-term value for our stockholders. As we reflect on the past year, we are encouraged by the outlook for fiscal 2018.”

Mr. Gaynor continued, “We experienced strong demand for our industrial tool, telecommunications/data communications and defense products in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Total bookings were 21% higher in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017, and 66% higher than the fourth quarter of last year. Amid this growth, our overall backlog decreased from the end of the third quarter, as we continued to ship products against some large annual contracts and improved manufacturing efficiencies and yields. As these annual contracts renew, we expect our backlog will increase commensurately, which will be further bolstered by new orders generated from our accelerated sales and marketing initiatives.”

“Our underlying business remains robust for fiscal 2018 despite some short-term weakness with specific customers in the telecommunications industry due to inventory builds in China and the United States. Based on our sales pipeline, the drivers of the secular growth for telecommunications products, which represented 13% of our consolidated revenues in fiscal 2017, remain intact as we look out through the end of the fiscal year. We are pursuing an increasing number of projects from current and new customers pertaining to data center expansion, Internet-of-Things applications, emerging world growth, metro core upgrades, and video/data transmission. We continue to work with OEMs, including many of our largest customers, on next generation products. In other areas of our operations, the integration of the ISP business continues to proceed as planned. With the completion of the second full quarter following the acquisition of ISP, we are seeing the benefit of larger scale and improved operating leverage. We have also increased our product development efforts, both independently and jointly with our customers, in the areas of sensing technology, spectrographic instruments and advanced driver assistance systems. While we will have more to say in the months
ahead on these very interesting initiatives, we are working in these high growth areas both independently and jointly with our customers. To this end, during fiscal 2017, we generated $1.6 million in free cash flow, which is operating cash flow less cash payments for interest, income taxes, debt payments and capital expenditures, while also investing in our facilities and equipment to ensure we are well positioned to take full advantage of these growth opportunities.”

Financial Results for Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016

Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was approximately $9.0 million, an increase of approximately $4.3 million, or 90%, as compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase from the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year is attributable to an approximately $3.5 million increase, or 544%, in revenues generated by infrared products, primarily attributable to (i) ISP, (ii) an approximately $550,000 increase, or 40%, in sales of high volume precision molded optics (“HVPMO”) lenses primarily attributed to the telecommunications and data communications industry, including next generation products and industrial tools, and (iii) an approximately $318,000 increase, or 17%, in sales of low volume precision molded optics (“LVPMO”) lenses primarily attributed to applications for position sensors, which increases were partially offset by an approximately $84,000 decrease, or 12%, in revenues from specialty products. The decrease in revenues generated by the specialty products group was primarily due to a slow-down in orders from one of our defense customers who experienced reduced demand for its products.

Gross margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $4.4 million, an increase of 77% as compared to $2.5 million in the prior year period. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 48% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to 52% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The change in gross margin as a percentage of revenue is primarily attributable to the inclusion of revenues generated by ISP, and the associated cost of sales. Total cost of sales was approximately $4.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, an increase of approximately $2.4 million as compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. This increase in total cost of sales is entirely due to the increase in volume of sales, primarily as a result of the acquisition of ISP.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, total costs and expenses were approximately $3.2 million, an increase of approximately $1.3 million compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to: (i) a $1.2 million increase in expenses related to the acquisition and integration of ISP, including the amortization of intangibles, wages, professional fees, and travel expenses, and (ii) an approximately $88,000 increase in research and development expenses.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company recognized non-cash expense of approximately $10,000 related to the change in the fair value of warrants issued in connection with the June 2012 private placement. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recognized non-cash expense of approximately $27,000 related to the change in the fair value of these warrants. The applicable accounting rules for the warrant liability requires the recognition of either non-cash expense or non-cash income, which has a significant correlation to the change in the market value of the Company’s Class A common stock for the period being reported and the assumptions on when the warrants will be exercised. The likelihood of exercise increases as the expiration date of the warrant approaches. The warrants have a five-year life and will expire in December 2017. The fair value will be re-measured each reporting period until the warrants are exercised or expire.

Income tax expense was a benefit of approximately $5.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, a decrease of $5.2 million compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The Company has NOL carry forward benefits of $86 million against net income as reported on a consolidated basis in the United States. The NOL does not apply to taxable income from foreign subsidiaries. Previously these NOLs have had a full valuation allowance which is now being adjusted due to the deferred tax impacts related to deferred tax liabilities recognized in conjunction with the ISP acquisition. The decrease in income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was primarily attributable to an adjustment in the valuation allowance to the Company’s deferred taxes offset by the income taxes associated with the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries and to a lesser extent income taxes attributable to ISP’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ISP Optics Latvia, SIA (“ISP Latvia”), a limited liability company founded under the Laws of the Republic of Latvia. The Company extinguished all NOL carryforwards in China relating to its Chinese operations during fiscal 2016. Accordingly, the Company now accrues income taxes in China. Chinese subsidiaries are governed by the Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China, which is applicable to privately run and foreign invested enterprises, and which generally subjects such enterprises to a statutory rate of 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. ISP Latvian is governed by the Law of Corporate Income Tax of Latvia, which is applicable to privately run and foreign invested enterprises, and which generally subjects such enterprises to a statutory rate of 15% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. Excluding the impact of the change in the fair value of the warrant liability, the impact of foreign translation, and the benefit for the adjustment of the valuation allowance of deferred taxes, all of which are excluded when computing taxable income, the effective tax rate was 24%.

Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $6.4 million, or $0.27 per basic and $0.24 per diluted common share, which includes non-cash expense of approximately $10,000, or $0.00 per basic and diluted common share, related to the change in the fair value of the warrant liability, compared with net income of approximately $331,000, or $0.02 per basic and diluted common share, which includes non-cash income of approximately $27,000, or $0.00 per basic and diluted common share, related to the change in the fair value of the warrant liability for the same period in fiscal 2016.
Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was affected by increases in the following: (i) the change in the fair value of the warrant liability, (ii) amortization of intangibles, (iii) selling general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, (iv) interest expense, (v) income taxes and (vi) new product development costs as compared to the prior year period. Approximately 66% of the increase in SG&A expenses during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was related to the acquisition of ISP.

Adjusted net income, which is adjusted for the effect of the non-cash change in the fair value of the warrant liability, increased to approximately $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, as compared to $359,000 in the same period of fiscal 2016. A benefit of $5.4 million in income taxes was due to a decrease in the valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets, driven by the deferred tax liabilities recognized in conjunction with the acquisition of ISP.

The Company had foreign currency exchange income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 due to changes in the value of the Chinese Yuan and Euro in the amount of approximately $333,000, which had a $0.01 impact on basic and diluted earnings per share, compared to foreign currency exchange expense of $149,000, which had a $0.01 impact on basic and diluted earnings per share, in the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Weighted-average basic and diluted common shares outstanding increased to 24,156,139 and 26,222,382, respectively, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 from 15,590,945 and 17,097,076, respectively, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The increase was primarily due to 8 million shares of Class A common stock issued in connection with the acquisition of ISP, shares of Class A common stock issued under the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and shares of Class A common stock issued as a result of the exercises of stock options and warrants.

EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was approximately $2.3 million compared to approximately $646,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The difference in EBITDA between periods was principally caused by increased revenues and operating income, partially offset by increased SG&A expenses, of which approximately $208,000 were associated with the acquisition of ISP in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA, which eliminates the non-cash income or expense related to the change in fair value of the June 2012 warrant liability, was approximately $2.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, an increase of 243%, as compared with approximately $673,000 for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Financial Results for Year Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to the Year Ended June 30, 2016

Revenue for fiscal 2017 was approximately $28.4 million, an increase of approximately $11.1 million, or 64%, as compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase from the prior fiscal year is attributable to an approximately $7.6 million increase, or 437%, in revenues generated primarily by sales of ISP’s infrared lenses, an approximately $3.7 million increase, or 93%, in revenues generated by sales of HVPMO lenses, and an approximately $1.2 million increase, or 17%, in revenues generated by sales of LVPMO lenses, partially offset by an approximately $1.3 million decrease, or 35%, in revenues from specialty products and an approximately $162,000 decrease or 29% decrease in revenues from NRE projects. The decrease in revenues generated by the specialty products group was due to the absence of approximately $1.0 million of revenues generated in fiscal 2016 due to completion of the project for custom fiber collimator assemblies. This specific product technology was transferred to the customer pursuant to a license agreement entered into in fiscal 2015.

Gross margin as a percentage of revenue in fiscal 2017 was 52%, compared to 54% in fiscal 2016. Gross profit in fiscal 2017 was $14.7 million, compared to $9.3 million in the prior year period, an increase of 58%. Total cost of sales was approximately $13.6 million for fiscal 2017, an increase of approximately $5.7 million compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The 71% increase in cost of sales was entirely due to the increased volume largely due to the acquisition of ISP.

During fiscal 2017, total costs and expenses were approximately $10.6 million, an increase of approximately $3.3 million compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to: (i) a $2.9 million increase in expenses related to the acquisition and integration of ISP, including the amortization of intangibles, wages, professional fees, and travel expenses, (ii) $104,000 increase in expenses for trade shows, and (iii) a $253,000 increase for other expenses.

In fiscal 2017, the Company recognized non-cash expense of approximately $468,000 related to the change in the fair value of warrants issued in connection with the June 2012 private placement. In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized non-cash expense of approximately $52,000 related to the change in the fair value of these warrants. The applicable accounting rules for the warrant liability requires the recognition of either non-cash expense or non-cash income, which has a significant correlation to the change in the market value of our Class A common stock for the period being reported and the assumptions on when the warrants will be exercised. The likelihood of exercise increases as the expiration date of the warrant approaches. The warrants have a five-year life and will expire in December 2017. The fair value will be re-measured each reporting period until the warrants are exercised or expire.

Income tax benefit was approximately $4.4 million in fiscal 2017, a decrease of $4.6 million from fiscal 2016. Although the Company has NOL carry forward benefits of $86 million against net income as reported on a consolidated basis in the United States, the NOL does not apply to taxable income from foreign subsidiaries. Previously these NOLs have had a full valuation allowance which is now being adjusted due to the deferred tax impacts related to deferred tax liabilities recognized in conjunction with the ISP acquisition. The decrease in income tax expense in fiscal 2017 was primarily attributable to a benefit for the adjustment to the valuation allowance of our deferred tax assets offset by income taxes associated with the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries and to a lesser extent income taxes attributable to ISP Latvia. The Company extinguished all NOL carryforwards in China relating to its Chinese operations during fiscal 2016. Accordingly, the Company now accrues income taxes in China. Chinese subsidiaries are governed by the Income Tax Law of the
People’s Republic of China, which is applicable to privately run and foreign invested enterprises, and which generally subjects such enterprises to a statutory rate of 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. ISP Latvian is governed by the Law of Corporate Income Tax of Latvia, which is applicable to privately run and foreign invested enterprises, and which generally subjects such enterprises to a statutory rate of 15% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. Excluding the impact of the change in the fair value of the warrant liability, the impact of foreign translation, prior period adjustments and the benefit for the adjustment of the valuation allowance of our deferred tax assets, which are all excluded when computing taxable income, the effective tax rate was 30%.

Net income for fiscal 2017 was $7.7 million, or $0.39 per basic and $0.36 per diluted common share, which includes non-cash expense of approximately $468,000, or $0.02 per basic and diluted common share, for the change in the fair value of the warrant liability, compared with net income of approximately $1.4 million, or $0.09 per basic and $0.08 diluted common share, which includes non-cash expense of approximately $52,000, or $0.00 per basic and diluted common share, for the change in the fair value of the warrant liability for the same period in fiscal 2016.

Net income was affected by the increase in operating expenses in fiscal 2017 as compared to the prior year period, including higher SG&A expenses, new product development costs, and an approximately $445,000 increase in expenses related to the acquisition of ISP.

Adjusted net income, which is adjusted for the effect of the non-cash change in the fair value of the warrant liability, was approximately $8.2 million in fiscal 2017, as compared to $1.5 million in the same period of fiscal 2016.

The Company had foreign currency exchange expense in fiscal 2017 due to changes in the value of the Chinese Yuan and Euro in the amount of approximately $78,000, or$0.00 impact on basic and diluted earnings per share. This compares to foreign currency exchange income of $370,000, which had a $0.02 impact on earnings per share in the prior fiscal year.

Weighted-average basic and diluted common shares outstanding increased to 20,001,868 and 21,666,392, respectively, in fiscal 2017 from 15,401,893 and 16,875,383, respectively, in fiscal 2016. The increase was primarily due to 8 million shares of Class A common stock issued in connection with the acquisition of ISP, shares of Class A common stock issued under the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and shares of Class A common stock issued as a result of exercises of stock options and warrants.

EBITDA for fiscal 2017 was approximately $5.9 million, compared to approximately $2.5 million in fiscal 2016. The difference in EBITDA between periods was principally caused by increased revenues and operating income, partially offset by the increased SG&A costs of which approximately $445,000 were associated with the acquisition of ISP, and changes relating to non-cash income in the fair value of the June 2012 warrant liability. Adjusted EBITDA, which eliminates the non-cash income or expense related to the change in fair value of the June 2012 warrant liability, was approximately $6.3 million in fiscal 2017 as compared with approximately $2.6 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $8.1 million as of June 30, 2017, a 178% increase from June 30, 2016. Cash flow provided by operations was approximately $5.0 million for fiscal 2017, compared with $1.5 million in the prior year period. During fiscal 2017, the Company expended approximately $2.2 million for capital equipment, as compared to $1.1 million in the same period last year.

The current ratio as of June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016 was 3.5 to 1. Total stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2017 was approximately $29.8 million, a 172% increase compared to approximately $10.9 million as of June 30, 2016. The increase is largely due to our Class A common stock public offering in December 2016, in which we received net proceeds of approximately $8.7 million, and accumulated net income.

As of June 30, 2017, the Company’s 12-month backlog was $9.3 million, compared to $6.6 million as of June 30, 2016, an increase of approximately 41%, partially attributable to ISP.

*Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, this press release includes references to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and gross margin, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, see the tables provided in this press release.

A “non-GAAP financial measure” is generally defined as a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future performance that excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments, so as to be different from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the GAAP financial measures, provide information that is useful to investors in understanding period-over-period operating results separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on results in any particular period. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the ability of investors to analyze underlying business operations and understand performance. In addition, management may utilize these non-GAAP financial measures as guides in forecasting, budgeting, and planning. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.

The Company calculates EBITDA by adjusting net income to exclude net interest expense, income tax expense or benefit, depreciation, and amortization. Similarly, the Company calculates adjusted EBITDA by adjusting net income to exclude net interest expense, income tax expense or benefit, depreciation, amortization, and the change in the fair value of the warrants issued in connection with the private placement in June 2012, which expire at the end of 2017.

The fair value of the warrants issued in connection with the private placement in 2012 is re-measured each reporting period until the warrants are exercised or expire. Each reporting period, the change in the fair value of these warrants is either recognized as non-cash expense or non-cash income. The change in the fair value of the warrants has a significant correlation to the change in the market value of the Company’s Class A common stock for the period being reported and is not impacted by actual operations during such period. Management believes that by excluding the change in the fair value of these warrants enhances the ability of investors to analyze and better understand the underlying business operations and performance.

The Company calculates adjusted net income by adjusting net income to exclude the change in the fair value of the warrants issued in connection with the private placement in June 2012.

The Company calculates gross margin by deducting the cost of sales from operating revenue. Cost of sales includes manufacturing direct and indirect labor, materials, services, fixed costs for rent, utilities and depreciation, and variable overhead. Gross margin should not be considered an alternative to operating income or net income, which is determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that gross margin, although a non-GAAP financial measure, is useful and meaningful to investors as a basis for making investment decisions. It provides investors with information that demonstrates cost structure and provides funds for total costs and expenses. The Company uses gross margin in measuring the performance of its business and has historically analyzed and reported gross margin information publicly. Other companies may calculate gross margin in a different manner.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast Details

LightPath will host an audio conference call and webcast on Thursday, September 14 at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss its financial and operational performance for the fourth quarter and year ended June 30, 2017.

Date: Thursday, September 14, 2017
Time: 4:30 PM (ET)
Dial-in Number: 1-877-317-2514
International Dial-in Number: 1-412-317-2514


Participants should dial-in or log-on approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. A replay of the call will be available approximately one hour after completion through October 14, 2017. To listen to the replay, dial 1-877-344-7529 (domestic) or 1-412-317-0088 (international), and enter conference ID # 10111266.

About LightPath Technologies

LightPath Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPTH) is a leading global, vertically integrated provider of optics, photonics and infrared solutions for the industrial, defense, telecommunications, testing and measurement, and medical industries. LightPath designs, manufactures, and distributes proprietary optical and infrared components including molded glass aspheric lenses and assemblies, infrared lenses and thermal imaging assemblies, fused fiber collimators, and gradient index GRADIUM® lenses. LightPath also offers custom optical assemblies, including full engineering design support. The Company is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, with manufacturing and sales offices in New York, Latvia and China.

LightPath’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ISP Optics Corporation, manufactures a full range of infrared products from high performance MWIR and LWIR lenses and lens assemblies. ISP’s infrared lens assembly product line includes athermal lens systems used in cooled and un-cooled thermal imaging cameras. Manufacturing is performed in-house to provide precision optical components including spherical, aspherical and diffractive coated infrared lenses. ISP’s optics processes allow it to manufacture its products from all important types of infrared materials and crystals. Manufacturing processes include CNC grinding and CNC polishing, diamond turning, continuous and conventional polishing, optical contacting and advanced coating technologies.

For more information on LightPath and its businesses, please visit www.lightpath.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes statements that constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our ability to expand our presence in certain markets, future sales growth, continued improvements in our financial results,and implementation of new distribution channels. This information may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, factors detailed by LightPath Technologies, Inc. in its public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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