optics.org blog

LASER 2009: new product focus

2009-06-16T09:33:21Z

Products and announcements from Wavelength Electronics, NKT Photonics, Femtolasers Produktions and JENOPTIK Polymer Systems.

Temperature controller
The new PTC-CH Series temperature controller offers high-precision control and stability in a compact, chassis-mount package, claims Wavelength Electronics (Bozeman, MT). Designed to operate with the PLD-CH Series laser-diode drivers, the PTC-CH supports thermoelectric and resistive-heater operation with all sensor types. It provides user-configurable temperature setpoint and a TTL-compatible remote disable. With current up to 20 A, better than 1 mV accuracy and temperature stability across ambient of better than 1.4 mK, the PTC-CH Series is said to be ideal for applications such as electro-optical systems, benchtop inspection instruments and medical diagnostic equipment.
www.teamwavelength.com

Benchtop fibre lasers
NKT Photonics, the result of a merger between Danish vendors Koheras and Crystal Fibre, is to introduce a new version of its AdjustiK and BoostiK series of fully integrated DFB fibre-laser benchtop systems. The optical design is based upon the third-generation KOHERAS BasiK laser engine, featuring a digital control interface and power upgrade feature. Target markets are any R&D and scientific applications that require high frequency stability and low-noise operation. The fibre lasers are offered at custom specified wavelengths within the C- and L-bands as well as within the 1.03-1.12 micron wavelength range. The AdjustiK series provides up to 200 mW of optical output power; the BoostiK series up to 1 W.
www.nktphotonics.com

Ultrabroadband light source
The new INTEGRAL OCT light source supports ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT), providing an ultrabroad bandwidth to reach sub-2 microns in axial resolution as well as ample power for ultrahigh-speed scanning. That's the claim of Femtolasers Produktions, Austria. Applications include 3D imaging, spectroscopic and polarization-sensitive OCT, imaging of individual cells and subcellular structures, as well as non-destructive quality control. Specifications include: output power (ex fibre) >40 mW; centre wavelength of 800 nm; and bandwidth at 3 dB >150 nm.
www.femtolasers.com

Micro-optics for micro projection
JENOPTIK Polymer Systems, Germany, and MEMS Optical (also part of the JENOPTIK group) will be presenting a double-sided microlens in plastic that's compatible with series production. A double-sided microlens array enables homogenization of laser sources as well as beam guidance in laser projection systems. The new product is a response to increasing demand for micro projectors in consumer applications such as laptop computers and mobile phones. "Injection-moulding technology allows for joining design mounting and alignment features as an integral part of the optical component to aid in packaging and system assembly," says JENOPTIK.
www.jenoptik-ps.de

LASER 2009: new product focus

2009-06-16T09:31:12Z

Products and announcements from Gooch & Housego, ES Technology, Kylia and Holo/Or.

Multimode pump combiners
Gooch & Housego, UK, will launch a range of low-port-count, multimode pump combiners with a signal feed through fibre - a format commonly referred to as a (2+1)x1. Fibre-laser systems incorporating the (2+1)x1 are becoming more common as diode pump powers increase. They are already established as the signal/pump combiner in high-power fibre amplifiers for cable TV distribution. The (2+1)x1 is available as standard at centre wavelengths of 1064 and 1550 nm, with both polarization-maintaining and singlemode feed-through fibres. Signal performance is essentially wavelength-independent over the C-band for 1550 nm devices and over a 60 nm range for the 1064 nm devices. Other options are available upon request, including combiners with large-mode-area signal fibre.
www.goochandhousego.com

Industrial fibre laser
The es CODE is a ytterbium fibre laser designed with a range of industrial applications in mind - marking, coding, thermoplastics welding, thin cutting, engraving and surface treatment. Developed by ES Technology, France, the laser comes in two versions: the es CODE 300 (30 W output power) and the es CODE 100 (10 W). According to ES, the compact scan head (215x60x75 mm) and lightweight design (800 g) make the system "a convenient tool for production-line professionals". Specifications include a marking field of 100x100 mm (standard); marking speed of 600 characters/s (character height 1 mm); and a spot diameter of 49 or 52 microns.
www.eslaser.com

Dual-polarization optical hybrid
Kylia, France, will unveil a package dedicated to OEM deployment for its dual-polarization optical hybrid. The hybrid extracts phase and amplitude from a single-polarization signal by performing four 90° phase-stepped interferences between the signal and a local oscillator. The optical hybrid plugs into balanced photodiodes. Kylia is now working on integrating the photodiodes into a single package, with cost, fibre management and reduced footprint the main targets of the project.
www.kylia.com

High-uniformity homogenizers
Holo/Or, Israel, will feature its new series of HM5 high-uniformity homogenizers. The products, which are made from pure fused silica, are available in various diffusion angles and sizes. Popular versions include a 2x2 degrees diffusion angle for 1064 nm and a 1x1 degree diffusion angle for 532 nm. Other features include high transmission efficiency (~99%); high diffraction efficiency (~75%); high damage threshold; insensitivity to misalignment; and compatibility with single- and multimode lasers.
www.holoor.com

LASER 2009: new product focus

2009-06-11T08:17:05Z

Products and announcements from B&W Tek, APE, Mobius Photonics and Axetris.

Violet/blue lasers
The BWB series of thermoelectric-cooled, solid-state violet/blue lasers will be featured by B&W Tek (Newark, DE). The 405 nm singlemode sources operate over the 10 to 35 °C temperature range with stable 40 and 80 mW continuous power. B&W says that the "excellent mode quality and low divergence make the lasers suitable for beam focusing as well as long-distance beam positioning". The compact power supply can be easily integrated into the OEM version for applications such as spectroscopy, metrology, wafer inspection and micro-materials processing.
www.bwtek.com

Frequency converters
The HarmoniXX series of frequency converters for mode-locked ultrafast lasers will be featured by Angewandte Physik & Elektronik (APE), Germany. Frequency doubling, tripling and quadrupling are covered via a modularly structured system. With quick-release optics, HarmoniXX devices are applicable for a wide pulse duration range - from femtoseconds to several tens of picoseconds. APE claims that the new products are "optimized for highest conversion efficiency at various laser power levels as well as minimum pulse broadening". An Autotracker option is offered for use in combination with automatic, PC-controlled laser systems.
www.ape-berlin.com

Multiwavelength fibre laser
The G1+ Laser System from Mobius Photonics (Santa Clara, CA) is a fibre-based light source configurable for 30 W IR, 18 W green and 10 W UV, with pulse widths as short as 2 ns and repetition rates up to 1 MHz. Those specifications, available in a diffraction-limited beam, "open new opportunities for companies specializing in micromachining, materials processing and precision manufacturing", says Mobius. Mobius product are based on a pulsed master-oscillator, fibre-power-amplifier (MOFPA) architecture.
www.mobiusphotonics.com

Microlens arrays
The Axetris Division of Leister Process Technologies, Switzerland, will present its portfolio of diffractive and refractive microlenses and microlens arrays at LASER 2009. The refractive microlenses are suitable for a range of applications, among them collimation of high-power diode-laser bars for materials processing, diode-laser pumping and beam homogenization in lithography and biomedical instrumentation. Diffraction gratings and microlens arrays are ideally suited for optical beam splitting and shaping and find applications in optical sensors, metrology and spectroscopy. Axetris also offers MEMS contract services (e.g. deposition of metals, etching, dicing, etc).
www.leister.com/axetris

LASER 2009: new product focus

2009-06-11T08:12:20Z

Products and announcements from InnoLight, LOTIS TII, Omicron and tec5.

DPSS lasers
InnoLight will feature a new diode-pumped solid-state laser for scientific applications like optical trapping, high-precision metrology and nonlinear optics. According to the German manufacturer, the 1064 nm source (35 W output) is characterized by "outstanding low amplitude and frequency noise, resulting from a rugged monolithic non-planar ring oscillator combined with superior amplifier technology". The InnoLight booth will also feature two new lasers for industrial OEM applications: a 200 mW CW 515 nm laser and a high-peak-power Q-switched IR laser (emitting around 1 micron).
www.innolight.de

Nd:YAG laser
The LS-2147A from LOTIS TII, Belarus, is a compact, high-power Nd:YAG laser that consists of two independent modules: oscillator and power amplifier. According to the vendor, the design of the pump chambers suppresses undesired parasitic superluminescence oscillations that limit output energy. In addition, the laser has a built-in second harmonic and is supplied with external third-, fourth- and fifth-harmonics units. The high-energy UV output is listed as 300 mJ at 355 nm; 200 mJ at 266 nm; and 45 mJ at 213 nm.
www.lotis-tii.com

High-performance diode lasers
Omicron, Germany, says that its PhoxX diode-laser modules offer high-stability CW operation as well as fast analogue and digital modulation and an electronic-shutter function. The lasers are available in 14 wavelength options between 375 and 830 nm and with optical output powers up to 140 mW (643 nm). Omicron claims that its proprietary beam-shaping optics with astigmatism correction ensure excellent focal quality, high fibre-coupling efficiency and good beam-pointing stability.
www.omicron-laser.de

Interface electronics for spectroscopy
tec5, Germany, will be featuring its range of high-performance modular electronics for operation of photodiode arrays and spectral sensors. The components are suitable for arrays manufactured in NMOS, CCD and InGaAs technologies and can be used in the UV, visible and near-IR wavelength ranges. In addition to OEM electronics, technologies developed by tec5 are also available as integrated spectrometer modules in compact housings or as complete spectrometer systems. Hardware components are supported by the application software MultiSpec Pro. In addition, several software development kits are offered for customer programming.
www.tec5.com

Fianium out to win hearts and minds

2009-06-09T09:49:06Z

Fianium, the UK-headquartered manufacturer of fibre-laser systems, has opened a micro-materials processing applications laboratory in the US. The company will use the new centre to position its ultrafast fibre lasers as alternatives to conventional diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) sources.

Based in Portland, Oregon, the lab will enable Fianium to work closely with OEMs to test material samples and highlight the processing results attainable with its range of picosecond fibre-laser systems.

Project work will cover a diverse range of materials, including polymers, glasses, organic tissue and reflective metals - all of which have traditionally proven difficult to process using DPSS sources.

Fianium has partnered with photonics engineering services provider Summit Photonics, led by Brian Baird, to create the new facility.

"The new applications lab combines Fianium's expertise with that of Summit Photonics to offer laser users in industrial markets the unequivocal proof that they can complete specific tasks quicker, better and more cost-effectively via our ultrafast picosecond and femtosecond fibre-laser products," commented Fianium CEO Anatoly Grudinin. "I'm a firm believer that we're currently only scratching the surface in terms of ultrafast lasers' potential."

Fianium will be exhibiting at LASER in Hall C1, booth 522.

LASER 2009: new product focus

2009-06-02T14:08:38Z

Products and announcements from KLASTECH, Photonics Industries and 3S Photonics.

CW ruby laser
KLASTECH, Germany, will be exhibiting what it claims is the industry's first CW diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) ruby laser. Dubbed the CRESCENDO, the laser utilizes the company's proprietary approach for pumping the ruby crystal and the same DENICAFC "double-enhanced laser technology" common to other lasers in the KLASTECH range. "This laser for the first time not only provides a ruby-based CW source, but also offers the first single-frequency, ultralow-noise DPSS laser in the visible red region of the spectrum, opening up new possibilities to researchers in biophysics and DNA sequencing," says KLASTECH. The CRESCENDO is available initially in 100 mW and 150 mW versions, with plans to increase its power output to 500 mW in the near future.
www.klastech.de

Diode-pumped picosecond lasers
Photonics Industries (Bohemia, NY) says that its RG Series diode-pumped picosecond lasers produce over 3 mJ per pulse at 1 kHz, and more than 10 W at 10 kHz at 1064 nm with ~15 ps nominal pulse widths - all while still maintaining TEM00 mode quality in a compact, industrial-grade package. Higher-power versions (25 W and 40 W at 10 kHz) or higher-pulse-energy formats (5 mJ/pulse and 7 mJ/pulse at 1 kHz) are also available. Harmonic outputs such as 532 nm, 355 nm, 266 nm and 213 nm can be ordered as needed. According to the vendor, "high-pulse-energy picosecond laser pulses with good beam quality can competitively machine thicker materials or materials with feature sizes of ~1 mm. Such mesoscale laser processing with less heat-affected zone is proving in for a myriad of novel applications on materials such as metals and ceramics."
www.photonix.com

1064 nm pump module
3S Photonics, France, will use LASER 2009 to unveil its first product for non-telecoms applications. The 1064 nm singlemode pump-laser module, the 1064 CHP, is designed for integration into industrial fibre-laser systems used in micromachining applications. Features include output power up to 400 mW at 850 mA and peak power up to 1W; a low-profile hermetically sealed 14-pin butterfly package with polarization-maintaining fibre pigtail; integrated thermoelectric cooler, thermistor and back-facet monitor photodiode; operating temperature range from -5 to +75 °C; and operating wavelength range from 1050-1070 nm. Users can choose from two options: a fibre Bragg grating version for wavelength stabilization and a "High PER" format with polarization extinction ratio exceeding 20 dB.
www.3Sphotonics.com

Lasers in Manufacturing 2009 conference stronger than ever

2009-06-02T14:03:16Z

Despite the unfavourable economic conditions, the International Conference on Lasers in Manufacturing (LiM) 2009, which is being held as a part of the World of Photonics Congress, will be busier than ever, according to the organizers.

Almost 200 presentations will feature the latest results in this field, and LiM general chair Andreas Ostendorf is convinced that the event will set important milestones in the future direction of laser materials processing.

Keynote presentations at LiM 2009 will focus on new laser processes in the fields of nanotechnology and material modifications, along with the latest developments from TRUMPF.

Further invited presentations over the four-day conference will address two topics: high-power laser applications in macro processing, and ultraprecise micro/nanoprocessing developments. In addition, the final results of the Fuelas project investigating laser-guided arc welding of high-strength steels will be presented.

More information is available at the LASER World of Photonics web site.

LASER 2009: new product focus

2009-06-02T14:00:28Z

The latest news from GSI Group, Ibsen Photonics, JDSU and Hamamatsu.

400 W fibre laser
GSI Group, UK, will be exhibiting the latest addition to its range of JK fibre lasers for welding and cutting applications. The JK400FL is a 400 W CW source that doubles the available power of the JK product line while using the same single-resonator platform. According to GSI, the singlemode output fibre delivers a near diffraction-limited beam that is consistent and stable across the whole power range. At maximum power, wall-plug efficiency is better than 25%, leading to economic operation and low environmental impact. In-built backreflection protection ensures that the laser continues to work even in the most demanding applications, without the need for a costly Faraday isolator.
www.gsiglasers.com

High-power transmission gratings
Ibsen Photonics, Denmark, will feature a family of high-power transmission gratings for 1064 nm, 800 nm and custom wavelengths. Fused-silica transmission gratings offer a power-handling capability that's claimed to be an order of magnitude greater than any other grating technology, including conventional gold-coated reflection gratings. Applications include pulse compression, spectral beam-combining and other high-power applications, which can be either CW or extremely short pulses. "Our fused-silica grating technology is perfectly suited to high-power applications, where users have been hitting the energy ceiling of grating types available up until now," says product manager Kristian Buchwald. "Our high-power gratings are comprised of 100% low-OH fused silica, plus standard high-power dielectric AR [antireflection] coatings."
www.ibsen.dk

UV optical filters
JDSU (Milpitas, CA) says that its UV optical filters "provide unparalleled UV light transmission - up to four times the transmission of traditional UV filters". The manufacturer also claims that its products are more durable and stable than existing filters because they are made up of hard dielectric material with a single-substrate structure. The filters, available in custom designs and large formats of up to 200 mm, can be used be used for any application in which the harmful portion of the UV spectrum must be eliminated while transmitting the desired wavelength - e.g. environmental monitoring, medical/aesthetic laser instruments, flame or gas detection, semiconductor lithography and genetic research.
www.jdsu.com

Quantum-cascade lasers
Hamamatsu Photonics, UK, will introduce a new range of quantum-cascade DFB lasers for applications in next-generation IR laser spectroscopy systems. The L10195 series is available with two wavelength options as standard: 7.7 microns for the L10195-01 and 5.2 microns for the L10195-02. Each product has a typical output power of 15 mW. According to the vendor, quantum-cascade lasers are the only mid-infrared semiconductor laser that can operate easily at room temperature utilizing peltier cooling. What's more, the tunability of the emission wavelength enables high-resolution analysis of a variety of gases (e.g. CH₄, N₂O and H₂CO) in medical diagnostics and security applications.
www.sales.hamamatsu.com

SPIE to honour Lothar Späth at LASER

2009-05-27T12:57:47Z

By Tim Hayes, Industry Editor, Optics & Laser Europe Magazine and optics.org.

As part of the SPIE Europe Optical Metrology Congress, Lothar Späth will be honoured with an SPIE Visionary Award in recognition of his crucial support for photonics in the historic optical centre of Jena. Späth was chairman of Jenoptik AG when it was established in 1991, and is credited with turning the East German optical engineering company into a world-class success.

The award will be presented during SPIE Europe's Optical Metrology Congress, which will take place on 14-18 June in Munich, Germany, as part of the World of Photonics Congress. More than 200 technical papers on optics and laser applications in metrology and conservation of art and archaeology will be presented at the event.

Taking centre stage will be Christopher Dainty, head of the applied optics group at the National University of Ireland, Galway, who will give a plenary talk on adaptive optics. Technical sessions will cover the latest solutions to practical problems in industrial design and production engineering, including recent advances in using optical technologies to preserve cultural heritage in art and architecture. Researchers will also describe how optical test and measurement techniques at the micro- and nanoscale are being applied right at the forefront of optical metrology.

Papers are organized into conferences on:
• Optical measurement systems for industrial inspection, including a session on metrology of advanced optics that will be held jointly with the EOS Conference on Manufacturing of Optical Components
• Modelling aspects in optical metrology
• O3A: optics for arts, architecture, and archaeology.

The symposium chairs are Wolfgang Osten of Universität Stuttgart, Germany; Malgorzata Kujawinska, Politechnika Warszawska, Poland; and Pietro Ferraro, Istituto Nazionale di Ottica Applicata, Italy.

For registration and other information, visit:
www.world-of-photonics.net/en/photonics-congress/Registration/RegistrationLinks
www.world-of-photonics.net/en/photonics-congress/start/OrganizersConferences/EOM

G&H launches pump combiners for high-power diodes

2009-05-27T12:55:40Z

By Tim Hayes, Industry Editor, Optics & Laser Europe Magazine and optics.org.

Gooch & Housego, a manufacturer of components for high-power lasers and fibre amplifiers, has launched a range of low-port-count, multimode pump combiners with a signal feedthrough fibre. This configuration is commonly referred to as a 2+1x1.

Fibre laser systems incorporating the 2+1x1 are becoming more common as diode pump powers increase. They are already established as the signal/pump combiner in high-power fibre amplifiers for CATV distribution.

The 2+1x1 is available as standard at centre wavelengths of 1064 nm and 1550 nm with both polarization maintaining and singlemode feedthrough fibres. The signal performance is essentially wavelength independent over the C band for 1550 nm devices and over a 60 nm range for the 1064 nm devices. Other options are available upon request including combiners with large-mode-area signal fibre.

The combiners are also available from AMS Technologies, which sells and markets Gooch & Housego products in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.

The new product line will be exhibited at LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009 by AMS Technologies at booth B1.301, and also by Gooch & Housego at booth B1.310.

For more information visit www.ams.de and www.goochandhousego.com.

Route des Lasers shines light on Bordeaux

2009-05-27T12:50:16Z

By Tim Hayes, Industry Editor, Optics & Laser Europe Magazine and optics.org.

Key players in the Bordeaux optics community will present the region's strengths and capabilities at LASER 2009.

Photonics is a strong and active field in the Bordeaux region of France, and the Route des Lasers competitiveness cluster will once again be at LASER to present the region's achievements and to promote the expertise of local companies and organizations.

• Mikan will be highlighting its new series of compact air-cooled ultrafast oscillators.

• Amplitude Systems will be showcasing Satsuma, a compact diode-pumped ultrafast fibre laser.

• EOLITE Systems will introduce its new OCTOPUS multi-fibre delivery laser and a 150W version of its BOREAS laser.

• CORDOUAN Technologies will present a new instrument for measuring the refractive index in suspensions, which can be used for applications such as the characterization of absorbent, dark or concentrated samples.

• Polyrise will introduce a new class of sol-gel-based varnishes for antireflective coatings.

In addition, visitors to the booth will be able to meet representatives from ALPhA (Aquitaine Lasers Photonics and Applications), the SEML Route des Lasers, the Bordeaux Region Development Agency and the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Route des Lasers cluster aims to foster a strong synergy between industry, research and universities. Led by the ALPhA association, it is one of three competitiveness clusters dedicated to optics and lasers. Its objectives are to become the world reference for innovation high-intensity lasers, to use technological skills as a driving force for economic development, and to support industrial development around a number of high-priority topics.

Visit booth C1-319 to find out more about Bordeaux's optics and photonics resources.

Bordeaux will be the venue for Invest in Photonics 2010, to be held in on 18th and 19th March 2010.

TRIOPTICS debuts automatic cementing system

2009-05-27T12:47:57Z

By Tim Hayes, Industry Editor, Optics & Laser Europe Magazine and optics.org.

The OptiCentric Cementing Station helps to avoid positioning errors in achromatic lens systems by providing a simplified cementing process. It's designed to avoid the need for cementing the lenses by hand, which requires a high level of mechanical skills and can lead to disappointing results if a cemtration error affects the imaging quality of the achromatic system.

In contrast to the traditional cementing process, the OptiCentric Cementing Station eliminates the need for precision sample fixtures. The fully automatic procedure also yields more reliable results because it no longer relies on the mechanical skills of the operator.

The system measures the centration error with an autocollimator system in reflection mode, which operates according to the ISO 10110-6 standard. With the help of the patented SmartAlign algorithm, the centration of each lens surface within the achromatic doublet is measured automatically, allowing the optimum shift for the upper lens to be calculated. A piezo-driven manipulator then adjusts the position of the upper lens within 1-2 seconds, achieving a residual centration error between both lenses in the doublet of typically less than 2 microns.

This procedure doesn't depend on the accuracy and stability of any mechanical fixtures, since both lenses are directly centred to each other and not to some third mechanical reference. The measurement precision is provided by a high-resolution CCD-based electronic autocollimator, while the sample rotation is achieved by an ultrahigh-precision air bearing.

A software-controlled motorized stage focuses the autocollimator to the centre of curvature of each surface, which allows the displacement or tilt of the lens to be measured. Once the lens pair has been loaded with cement by hand, the complete centring process, including UV curing, can be done automatically. In total the whole process of centring and curing takes no longer than a few seconds.

The instrument software provides records and statistics of the centration results, user definable thresholds for centration tolerances, and simple go/no go signals for the final result.

The Cementing Station is an add-on to the TRIOPTICS OptiCentric System for centration error measurement, and can be easily adapted to existing OptiCentric MOT instruments. It can also be ordered as a turnkey standalone system.

For further information see www.trioptics.com.

Visit TRIOPTICS at LASER World of PHOTONICS Hall 2 booth 309.

Excitement builds for LASER 2009

2009-05-12T14:23:35Z

By Tim Hayes, Industry Editor, Optics & Laser Europe magazine and optics.org

Even with the global economy in trouble, LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009 is on course to be a thriving and profitable meeting for the photonics community.

"LASER World of PHOTONICS is going very well, and despite the difficult economic situation will be larger in 2009 than it was in 2007," commented Angela Praeg of show organizers Messe Munchen. "For the first time, the tradeshow will be using a fourth exhibition hall, and more exhibitors are expected to participate than last time. That is extremely positive, particularly at a time when some industries are experiencing falls in revenue of 20, 30 or even 50%. It shows that optical technologies offer a route out of the crisis for companies through innovation, new products and manufacturing methods."

The tradeshow is presenting three main focal points: Biophotonics and Life Sciences; Lasers in the Manufacturing of Photovoltaics; and Illumination. There will also be a new conference held within the framework of the World of PHOTONICS Congress. The event, entitled Manufacturing of Optical Components, is being organized by the European Optical Society.

"This year the Application Panels from the World of Photonics Congress will be taking place in the tradeshow forums," noted Praeg. "These free events build a bridge between science and industry, and are a further step towards integrating technological advances with real applications. For this reason, we will be setting up three forums in the tradeshow halls rather than the one forum that we have had in previous years."

A look at the exhibitor database reveals growth in the number of participants from a number of countries, including Germany. For the first time, the Netherlands and Scotland will each have their own national pavilion at the trade show, while exhibitor numbers from China have been boosted by the decision of the Wuhan Optical Valley to participate in a pavilion for the first time.

"In many exhibition areas there will be companies that have never before had a booth at the tradeshow," said Praeg. "New exhibitors include Eata Equipaggiamenti, Orotiq, Microtech, and Prima Electronics from Italy; Piezomotor from Sweden; Ciposa Automation and Swisstec from Switzerland; and Retec-Automark Markier-und Befestigungssysteme from Germany."

SOLASYS boosts PV efficiency and productivity

2009-05-12T14:22:23Z

By Tim Hayes, Industry Editor, Optics & Laser Europe magazine and optics.org

SOLASYS, a European research programme that's developing laser-processing systems for next-generation solar cells and modules, will present its initial results at LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009.

Coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (Aachen, Germany), SOLASYS comprises a consortium of 10 companies and research institutes. The project is worth €6 million, of which €3.5 million is covered by an EU subsidy.

SOLASYS aims to lower manufacturing costs and increase solar-cell efficiency by both improving current production processes and developing new ones. Five specific processes are involved: high-speed drilling of microscopically small holes, ablation of thin layers without damage to the substrate, laser soldering for cell interconnection, laser isolation of the front and rear sides, as well as laser-based selective doping.

Laser drilling is one example of how SOLASYS will lower costs for the manufacturing of silicon solar cells. The "metal wrap through" concept (MWT) involves transferring the metal contacts from the front of the cell to the back using drilled micron-scale holes. This requires the drilling of 100 holes in less than a second. The aim of this method is to increase cell efficiency by reducing shading from contacts on the front side of the panel, and to simplify cell contacting, since both electrical terminals are on the rear side.

In the future, the connection of several cells to form a single module will also be performed using lasers. Laser soldering permits precise control of the soldering temperatures and hence specific process optimization. If the temperature at the solar cell deviates from the set value, the laser output can be adjusted accordingly, which enables a high-quality solder joint and low thermal stress.

Initial results will be presented at the joint Fraunhofer stand in Hall C2 at the LASER 2009 trade fair. For more information, please visit the project website: www.solasys.eu.

Ibsen Photonics brings high-power transmission gratings to LASER

2009-05-12T14:20:21Z

By Tim Hayes, Industry Editor, Optics & Laser Europe magazine and optics.org

Ibsen Photonics (Farum, Denmark), a supplier of holographic phase masks, transmission diffraction gratings and spectrometer modules based on diffraction gratings, offers high-power transmission gratings for 1064 nm, 800 nm and custom wavelengths.

Fused-silica transmission gratings offer a power-handling capability claimed to be an order of magnitude higher than any other grating technology, including conventional gold-coated reflection gratings. Applications for these gratings include pulse compression, spectral beam-combining and other high-power applications, which can be either CW or extremely short pulses.

"Our fused-silica grating technology is perfectly suited to high-power applications, where users have been hitting the energy ceiling of grating types available up until now," said product manager Kristian Buchwald. "Our high-power gratings are comprised of 100% low-OH fused silica, plus standard high-power dielectric AR coatings. This combination is unbeatable for power- and energy-handling capability."

The company's grating technology is leveraged in Ibsen's optical spectrometer modules for sensor interrogation systems and DWDM telecoms networks. In addition, Ibsen is pursuing partnerships in other industries to expand its high-resolution spectrometer platform based on pure fused silica holographic diffraction gratings.

Ibsen will be presenting its product portfolio at LASER 2009, booth 429 in Hall B2.