SINGAPORE, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Luminar Technologies ( LAZR )

, a maker of lidar sensors for self-driving cars, has

purchased the optoelectronic components and laser modules

business of Britain's Gooch & Housego ( GCHHF ) (G&H) to expand its

semiconductor operation, its CEO said.

The Nasdaq-listed firm launched its semiconductor arm

Luminar Semi last year based on the prior acquisition of three

companies: laser manufacturer Freedom Photonics, custom chip

design house Black Forest Engineering and photodetector firm

Optogration.

Luminar Semi is breaking even and will further expand into

aerospace and defence following the acquisition of the G&H unit,

EM4, Luminar ( LAZR ) chief executive Austin Russell told Reuters.

"We have now over 100 active customers and programs across

the board for Luminar Semiconductor," the 29-year founder said

in his first interview on Luminar's ( LAZR ) chip business.

"Companies are leveraging the same IP and technology that we

had first developed for our Lidar systems for the broader

sensing industry," he said.

Lidar, which stands for light detection and ranging, shoots

out light pulses that are reflected off objects, allowing

self-driving systems and driver-assistance software to gain a

three-dimensional map of the road. Many self-driving companies

and experts regard it as a crucial component, especially during

low-light situations.

Russell declined to comment on the size of the deal, which

was agreed in March, but G&H said that month that it had sold

EM4 to a U.S. tech company in a deal worth up to $12 million

without naming the buyer.

Clients for Luminar's ( LAZR ) chip business range from the U.S

Department of Defence and the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration (NASA) to technology companies, Russell said.