Higher efficiency needs drives laser advances

As the move towards miniaturisation of electronic devices for smart cards and increased optical storage gains traction, efforts are being stepped up to develop technically superior laser systems.

As the move towards miniaturisation of electronic devices for smart cards and increased optical storage gains traction, efforts are being stepped up to develop technically superior laser systems.

Initiatives such as the US Defence Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Super High Efficiency Diode Sources (SHEDS) programme along with efforts in the European Union are leading the way.

These programmes are also working towards eliminating another efficiency related challenge, thermal management.

"There are solid-state laser systems that have an electrical-to-optical power conversion efficiency percentage as low as 10 per cent as 90W of waste heat is produced for every 100W utilised," explains Frost and Sullivan Research Analyst Miriam C Nagel.

"According to the SHEDS programme, an increase in efficiency by merely 15% of the existing level will reduce the amount of waste heat generated by laser diodes by 50%." Minimising risks usually associated with laser use, especially eye safety concerns must also be dealt with.

Regulated usage and technical safety are already high on the priority list for laser systems development.

For instance, safety was a key selling point for Germany's Jenoptik of Gera, high-end laser 'dome' projection systems for realistic training simulation for the US Air Force.

"In order to sell laser products globally, manufacturers must comply with specific applicable standards set up by the International Standards for the Safety of Laser Products, standard IEC 60825-1," points out Nagel.

Regulations in the European Union are also stringent, especially for medical products that are required to bear the CE Mark, a symbol of 'European Conformity' under the Medical Device Directive (93/42/EEC).

The common opinion held by a majority of manufacturing companies on the subject of regulatory issues is that compliance is never a problem while user respect for laser safety and proper handling is more of an issue.

This market is demonstrating consistent growth and is projecting a positive outlook following the increased investment in research and development.

Government-funded defence projects such as the advanced disk laser (ADL) developed under contract of the German Space Agency and the rising deployment of fibre lasers in industrial materials processing are also spurring interest in laser systems.

The United Kingdom's Southampton University spin-off, Southampton Photonics, has developed a high-power compact fibre laser targeted at markets that include materials processing, engraving and medical device manufacturing.

Further, innovative options such as the shift from deep ultraviolet (DUV) photolithography systems to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) to meet the high volume manufacturing requirements are boosting adoption of laser systems and opening up new markets.

* Title: Advances in Laser Systems.

Code: D347.

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