Optoelectronics trends at
LASER World of PHOTONICS 2015
Ultra short pulse lasers have already broken through into automotive industry production processes. Microprocessing entails their laser pulses, lasting billionths of a second, blasting individual 
molecules out of metals without melting the adjacent material. Such picosecond lasers almost clinically excavate bead and burr-free furrows in steel, progressing with astonishing speed thanks to the high frequency, energy charged pulse. Not just picosecond lasers but femtolasers as well are gaining ground. Laser developers are even exploiting the attosecond range, in which light pulses are of less than one billionth of a second duration. In the staccato of the attosecond pulses it is possible to observe such things as how chemical compounds come into being.
Super-resolved fluorescence
microscopy made possible by laser tools
Lasers are also the key to so-called STED microscopy, the resolution of which is making inroads into the sub 50 nm range. To achieve that notwithstanding the use of beam sources with a typical wavelength of around 640 nm, the challenge is to outwit physics, as this gained the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2014. To achieve this, the developers use switchable fluorescent dyes to severely limit the visual field - and then make numerous successive scans of this area. Software merges the individual scans into an overall image. It is only this trick that enables resolution beyond the diffraction limit. Laser and optoelectronic developers contribute the tool: picosecond laser diodes in various wavelength ranges including the control technology, plus photon counters, high-precision optics and the scanner's galvo and piezo drives.
Energetically excitable materials important for laser technologies
Positioning systems based on piezo ceramics, which suffer minimal deformation when an electric voltage is 
applied, and can therefore be used as nm-precision drives, are indispensable for high resolution imaging.
There is also a second group of energetically excitable materials that plays a critical role in laser technology: thermoelectric materials. They convert the abundant waste heat from high performance diodes into electricity. Immediately evacuating the heat by means of the semiconducting Peltier elements directly on the diodes is deemed to be key to the reliable long term use of energy-efficient high-power laser diodes in industrial processes.
Lasers are taking surgery and
measurement technology into new dimensions
The use of efficient semiconductor diodes is still less prevalent in material processing than it is in measurement technology and image processing in industrial quality control. Sometimes they project light patterns on car body parts, which camera systems then use to check complex geometries within milliseconds, detecting even variances in the micrometer range in the process. At other times they help wafer and microchip manufacturers with the high end tuning of their production equipment. Or doctors use them to position patients for diagnosis using imaging processes. With robot-assisted teeth implants or eye operations lasers ensure unprecedented precision.
For almost two years, leading eye clinics in Germany have been operating on cataract patients using femtosecond lasers. The femto pulses in the near infrared range and automated incision enable far more accurate, finer incisions than by human hand. Wounds heal dramatically quicker. Complications are avoided. This application involves the use of diode-pumped solid-state lasers or fiber lasers.
Beam sources: diversification of the technology mix forges ahead
Whether gallium nitride (GaN)-based UV laser diodes required for the energy-efficient hardening of paints or for sterilizing drinking water and surfaces. Whether green laser diodes (560 nm) pulsed in the picosecond range, which biochemical analysts and quality controllers in the semiconductor industry have long dreamed of Whether red high power diodes (670 nm) in the power range to 2 Watt peak, 18 Watt diodes in the spectral range around 980 nm for medical technology or aerospace users or yellow luminescent diodes in the spectral range between 1100 and 1200 nm - there are reports of increases in the technology mix almost weekly.
The manufacturers are bringing their low cost Fabry-Pérot diodes, their brilliant distributed feedback (DFB) diodes or Bragg reflection DBR diodes in the various power, wavelength and frequency classes to bear on user requirements.
The development of conventional laser technologies is making progress as well. New fiber lasers, delivering femtosecond pulses in a number of excitation wavelengths are considered to be a compact and cost-efficient alternative to titanium-sapphire lasers. The market for continuously tunable lasers, ensuring highly accurate analyses, especially in spectroscopy, is also becoming more broadly based. This is an area in which diode lasers have ensured a discernible boost to competition between processes. And in the detection and filtering, from the deep-UV to terahertz range and with photon counters as well, technological diversity and brilliance are progressing in tandem.
Images: R. Eberhard, messekompakt.com, EBERHARD print & medien agentur gmbh
Source: Messe München
News
- 24.4.2026
Iveco Group Announces Senior Leadership Team Changes - 23.4.2026
Innovation Award: A successful debut at FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2026 - 23.4.2026
Siemens Fortifies Cyber Resilience to Ensure Energy Supply for Critical Infrastructures - 22.4.2026
FeuerTrutz 2026 Gears Up for a Strong Edition - 22.4.2026
The Battery Show Europe Returns with Focus on Networking, Innovation - 22.4.2026
ISM, ISM Ingredients and ISM Manufacturing are Growing Closer Together - 21.4.2026
FIBO 2026 Wraps up With Strong Results - 21.4.2026
Fraunhofer IPMS Expands its Service Portfolio to Include Ultratrace Elemental Analysis on Wafers - 21.4.2026
Art Düsseldorf 2026 – A Vibrant Atmosphere, Strong Sales, and a Significant Increase in Visitor Numbers - 17.4.2026
MEDICA and COMPAMED 2026: From innovation to implementation - 17.4.2026
Koelnmesse Announce the Launch of the International Dentistry Exhibition and Meeting Saudi Arabia - 17.4.2026
Business Aviation in the Ascent at AERO Friedrichshafen 2026 - 14.4.2026
ART COLOGNE PALMA MALLORCA Celebrates Successful Premiere - 14.4.2026
ESD Alliance Reports Electronic System Design Industry Posts $5.5 Billion in Revenue in Q4 2025 - 14.4.2026
European Solar Startup Award 2026 – Shortlist Pitch - 14.4.2026
FIBO 2026: AI Drives the Longevity & Health Boom - 10.4.2026
VCI: Industry First - More Important than Ever - 10.4.2026
Fraunhofer ILT and Cailabs join Forces in Wire-based Laser Material Deposition - 10.4.2026
Arburg at Interplas 2026 - 9.4.2026
SEMI Reports Global Semiconductor Equipment Billings Reached $135 Billion in 2025 - 9.4.2026
Step Into the Factory of the Future at Hannover Messe 2026 - 8.4.2026
Cutting-edge 2D Laser Scanner from Fraunhofer Spin-off Promises Efficiency Boost in Material Processing - 8.4.2026
SEMI Projects Double-Digit Growth Spending for 2026 and 2027 - 8.4.2026
AERO 2026 with Record Number of Exhibitors - 7.4.2026
Covestro and Team Sonnenwagen Continue their Partnership - 31.3.2026
Covestro at Techtextil 2026 - 31.3.2026
ART BRUSSELS 2026: An Edition Refocused on Experience and Programming - 30.3.2026
Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 concludes with global participation - 30.3.2026
FENSTERBAU & HOLZ-HANDWERK 2026 Gives the Industry a Strong Voice - 30.3.2026
New Roles at FENSTERBAU FRONTALE and Chillventa - 27.3.2026
The Era of Multi-kilowatt Lasers has Begun - 27.3.2026
Atlas brings its next-generation weathering testing technology to the American Coatings Show - 27.3.2026
RIGK at IFAT and PRS Europe 2026 - 26.3.2026
SolarPower Europe: Europe's Energy Future Cannot Afford to Look Back - 26.3.2026
Paris Internationale 2026: Applications are open! - 26.3.2026
SEMI Europe Applauds the European Commission’s Implementation Dialogue on the Chips Act 2.0 - 24.3.2026
Fraunhofer ILT at Optatec 2026 - 24.3.2026
Last Call to Join us at SolarStorage Italy 2026 - 23.3.2026
Covestro AG: XRG P.J.S.C., Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Submits Formal Squeeze-out Request - 23.3.2026
WALTER at GrindingHub 2026 - 20.3.2026
WERMA Presents eSIGN with PROFINET - 20.3.2026
STILL Presents Innovative Automation Solution at LogiMAT 2026 - 20.3.2026
AERO and GBAA Announce Strategic Partnership - 20.3.2026
BOY Draws a Positive Conclusion Following the Successful MECSPE 2026 in Bologna - 18.3.2026
rapid.tech 3D 2026 – Knowledge Meets Business - 18.3.2026
ORGATEC PERSPECTIVES: Curated Special Showcases of Workspace and Contract Design - 18.3.2026
Kaeser Kompressoren at SOLIDS 2026 - 17.3.2026
EuroShop 2026 Sends Strong Impulses for Tomorrow’s Retail - 17.3.2026
Strong Sales Figures at the Start of TEFAF Maastricht 2026 - 17.3.2026
Fraunhofer IPMS Launches SMut Project - 16.3.2026
SEMI Europe and the Polish-Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Partner - 16.3.2026
AKL’26 – International Laser Technology Congress in Aachen - 13.3.2026
Jury nominates three companies for the HERMES AWARD - 13.3.2026
RX Appoints Katrine Graugaard as Global Head of Corporate Communications RX - 13.3.2026
WindEnergy Hamburg to show its colours in Singapore - 12.3.2026
Frieze New York 2026 Tickets Coming Soon - 12.3.2026
SAFE brings biomethane and hydrogen innovation to EXPOBIOGAZ and EHEC 2026 - 11.3.2026
SolarPower Europe at Solar Flex Croatia 2026 - 11.3.2026
Outstanding Embedded Products Honoured at the embedded award 2026 - 11.3.2026
Anuga FoodTec 2027 Reports Early Booking - 11.3.2026
Product of the Year 2026: Arburg Wins Four Prizes! - 10.3.2026
FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2026: Practical Knowledge and Innovations - 10.3.2026
Industry get-together for Surface Technology 2026 - 10.3.2026
Bosch has Set a Course for the Future in the Difficult 2025 Financial Year - 9.3.2026
First Look TEFAF Maastricht 2026 - 9.3.2026
Smart Tools for Strong Business at ProWein Düsseldorf 2026 - 9.3.2026
Light + Building 2026 Reflects an Industry in Transition - 6.3.2026
Siemens Expands Semiconductor-based Circuit Protection Portfolio - 6.3.2026
The First Battery Storage Day at SolarPower Summit 2026 - 5.3.2026
FPT Shows off its Complette Range of Product at CONEXPO 2026 - 5.3.2026
EISENWARENMESSE 2026: 2,500 companies from 53 countries - 4.3.2026
NürnbergMesse Looks Forward Confidently to a Record 2026 - 4.3.2026
NürnbergMesse: Digital Champion of the Exhibition Venues - 4.3.2026
Koelnmesse brings EISENWARENMESSE to Central Asia - 3.3.2026
NürnbergMesse Group: Digital Champion of the Exhibition Venues - 3.3.2026
DACH+HOLZ 2026 Attracts 56,000 Visitors, Reaching an All-time High - 3.3.2026
ITB 2026: 60 years as International Platform - 27.2.2026
Covestro Concludes Fiscal Year 2025 within Narrowed Guidance Range - 27.2.2026
EVO NXT Provides Strategic Guidance for Decision-makers - 27.2.2026
Enforce Tac 2026 Sets New Standards for Europe’s Security and Defence Dialogue - 25.2.2026
Chief Executive Officer Dr Markus Steilemann will not extend his contract beyond May 31, 2028 - 25.2.2026
Gas Round Table Explores Strategic Role of Natural Gas in the Energy Transition - 25.2.2026
6K Additive Signs Long-Term Supply Agreement with Siemens Energy - 23.2.2026
Engineering Quantum Precision for the Real World - 23.2.2026
Enforce Tac 2026: Focus on Exchanges, Innovation and Networked Security - 20.2.2026
Smart Health Europe: Messe Berlin and Bitkom Launch International Congress and Trade Show - 20.2.2026
ILA Berlin 2026 will be the Political Forum for Europe's Aerospace Industry - 18.2.2026
Peters Management Represented on Business Forum in India - 18.2.2026
New Managing Director for Arburg UK - 17.2.2026
Carbon Announces Appointment of Jason Rolland, Ph.D. as Chief Technology Officer - 17.2.2026
US Oil & Gas Developments on Track for 2026 - 16.2.2026
EuroShop 2026 Shares Comprehensive Retail Knowledge on Seven Stages - 16.2.2026
E-world 2026 on Record Course in its Anniversary Year - 16.2.2026
BIOFACH 2026: Strong Conversations and Clear Impetus - 13.2.2026
SEMI Reports 2025 Annual Worldwide Silicon Wafer Shipments and Revenue Results - 13.2.2026
Last call to register for the Solar Quality Summit Europe 2026 - 13.2.2026
Art Basel Hong Kong Announces Further Highlights for its 2026 Edition - 13.2.2026
Political Tailwind for Hydrogen Reactors from 3D Printers - 12.2.2026
Messe Berlin and Bitkom Launch International Congress and Trade Show on the Digitalisation of Healthcare - 12.2.2026
InnoTrans 2026: “Mobility on a Global Scale – Shaping Projects and Growth Opportunities” - 12.2.2026
EuroShop 2026: The world’s Most Important Trade Fair for Retail Celebrates its 60th Anniversary - 10.2.2026
Arburg at Chinaplas 2026 - 10.2.2026
BIOFACH 2026 Provides Strong Impetus for a Sustainable Food Sector - 9.2.2026
E-world Continues to Grow: Rebooking for 2027 has Started - 9.2.2026
Covestro, Fertiglobe, and TA’ZIZ sign Memorandum of Understanding - 4.2.2026
ISM 2026 Sets the International Standard - 4.2.2026
ProSweets 2026: Global Supplier Expertise for a Strong Sweets Industry - 2.2.2026
ISM Award 2026 goes to Dr. Uwe Lebens of Genuport - 2.2.2026
SEMI ISS Europe 2026 to Spotlight Navigating Geopolitics and Shaping Europe’s Semiconductor Future - 2.2.2026
Covestro Introduces Innovative CQ-Configurator - 29.1.2026
New CEO at Arburg - 29.1.2026
Schüco at FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2026 - 29.1.2026
BrauBeviale 2026 - Start of planning for brewing & beverage industry trade show - 27.1.2026
IFA Berlin in Las Vegas: At the Heart of International Tech Trends - 27.1.2026
boot Düsseldorf 2026 Puts Global Water Sports Industry on Course - 27.1.2026
BIOFACH Congress 2026: Embarking on a New Journey with the Next Generation - 21.1.2026
imm cologne to kick off the 2026 furniture year - 21.1.2026
boot Düsseldorf 2026: "Oscars of Water Sports" Awarded - 21.1.2026
Z2: Future-proof Adaptive Reuse - 21.1.2026
Supervisory Board Green-Light Future Programme for Exhibition Centre - 19.1.2026
FENSTERBAU 2026: Practical Knowledge and Innovations Combined - 19.1.2026
Koelnmesse Inc. Announces Transition in Leadership - 22.12.2025
Chief Financial Officer Christian Baier to Leave Covestro Upon Expiry of his Contract - 22.12.2025
Saxony Launches Network for Quantum Technologies - 22.12.2025
LLNL and Fraunhofer ILT Lay the Foundation for the Next Generation of Fusion Lasers - 18.12.2025
rapid.tech 3D 2026 – Knowledge Meets Business - 18.12.2025
Changes to the Management Board of Bosch Rexroth - 17.12.2025
SEMICON Korea 2026 to Showcase Core Semiconductor Technologies for the AI Era - 17.12.2025
Covestro and XRG Commence Strategic Partnership - 17.12.2025
Fraunhofer IPMS: Saxony Launches Network for Quantum Technologies - 16.12.2025
Management Position at Eurobike Joint Venture Filled by Messe Frankfurt Manager - 16.12.2025
WindEnergy trend:index: Mood in the Global Wind Industry Improves - 9.12.2025
boe International Launches Rebranding and Sets New Standards - 9.12.2025
EUROGUSS MEXICO grows and strengthens its position in Latin America - 5.12.2025
INTERMOT Offers Germany's First Look at Next Year's Key Motorcycle Launches - 5.12.2025
FRONTALE 2026: Practical Supporting Programme Broadens Horizons - 4.12.2025
Fraunhofer ILT: Making Photonics more Efficient with AI - 4.12.2025
Siemens Generates Strong Momentum Toward 2030 Sustainability Commitments - 3.12.2025
Global Semiconductor Equipment Billings Increased 11% Year-Over-Year in Q3 2025 - 3.12.2025
E-world Program with Clear Thematic Focuses - 2.12.2025
EUROGUSS 2026 Supporting Programme Offers Trends and Networking - 2.12.2025
RX Appoints Amy Morton as Executive Vice President, Human Resources - 1.12.2025
Supervisory Board Green-Light Future Programme for Exhibition Centre - 1.12.2025
SolarPower Europe: EU Solar Market Outlook 2025-2030 - 1.12.2025
WindEnergy Launched in Singapore to Accelerate Growth of Renewables in Asia-Pacific - 27.11.2025
Spain is Partner Country at HANNOVER MESSE 2027 - 27.11.2025
From Theory to Plate: Food Fit for the Future at BIOFACH 2026 - 24.11.2025
Vertical Pro 2025 Showcases The Industry's Future - 24.11.2025
Weidmüller: A Milestone in Connectivity – Made in Germany - 21.11.2025
productronica Innovation Award: The Winners have been Chosen - 21.11.2025
International Decision-makers in the Healthcare Industry Rely on MEDICA 2025 - 21.11.2025
MedtecLIVE 2026: Book Early and Save Later - 20.11.2025
More than 20,000 Visitors at the paris internationale 2025 - 20.11.2025
Sotheby's Opens New Global Headquarters at The Breuer - 19.11.2025
SPS: More Exhibitors, More innovation and More Anticipation - 19.11.2025
EUROGUSS 2026 Supporting Programme Offers Trends and Networking - 19.11.2025
TDK Announces TDK SensEI’s edgeRX™ Platform is Now Powered by AWS - 18.11.2025
Highlights at productronica 2025 - 18.11.2025
Fraunhofer IPMS: “From Lab to Fab” - 18.11.2025
COP 30: Germany to Provide 60 Mio. Euros for the Global Adaptation Fund - 17.11.2025
Soft Opening of Haitian’s Production Plant in Europe - 17.11.2025
MEDICA 2025 and COMPAMED 2025 are Set to Begin - 17.11.2025
Formnext Celebrates 10 Years with Extended Event Program - 17.11.2025
Top-class Speakers: Expert Conferences at the VdS-FireSafety 2025 - 14.11.2025
Deutsche Rohstoff AG: Revenue of EUR 150 Million After 9 Months - 13.11.2025
VCI: Medical Technology - Dialogue must not be a Placebo - 13.11.2025
ILA 2026 will Focus on Competitiveness, Technology and Sovereignty - 11.11.2025
ART COLOGNE 2025 Strengthens Confidence in the Art Market - 11.11.2025
A Shared Future with New Synergies: esitron and Georgii Kobold Join Forces - 10.11.2025
Messe Frankfurt to Drive Regional Expansion with New Subsidiary in Saudi Arabia - 10.11.2025
Art Basel launches Zero 10 - 10.11.2025
Messe Frankfurt Continues to Expand with Three New Events in the Automotive Division - 7.11.2025
TDK Electronics Now Uses 100% “Green” Electricity at all Production Sites Teaser_LG - 7.11.2025
rapid.tech 3D 2026 – Knowledge Meets Business - 6.11.2025
SEMI Reports Worldwide Silicon Wafer Shipments Increase 3% Year-on-Year in Q3 2025 - 6.11.2025
FESPA Middle East returns to Dubai in 2026 - 5.11.2025
Fraunhofer ILT: Making Photonics More Efficient with AI - 5.11.2025
Get Ready for DECT World 2025 - 4.11.2025
Holz 2025 Inspires with Packed Halls and an Excellent Atmosphere - 4.11.2025
Siemens Revolutionizes Electrical Design in Industry with New Software - 4.11.2025
The 48th Edition of Antica Namur Fine Art Fair Opens - 30.10.2025
SEMI Reports Global Silicon Wafer Shipments to Rebound 5.4% in 2025 - 30.10.2025
Art Basel Paris Concludes Successful Second Edition at the Grand Palais - 24.10.2025
ISM 2026 Sets New Benchmarks: Record Bookings - 24.10.2025
Peters at productronica 2025 - 23.10.2025
FSB 2025: Many Innovations and New Products for Playground and Activity Areas - 23.10.2025
CIBUS TEC FORUM 2025: Two days rethinking the future of food tech in Parma-Italy - 23.10.2025
aquanale 2025: The Pool Has Become Smart - 23.10.2025
Messe Frankfurt partners with VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific to debut Prolight + Sound Bangkok 2026 - 22.10.2025
SPS 2025: Global Proximity to Industry Strengthens Market Position and Relevance - 22.10.2025
COMPAMED 2025: 'Meet Health. Technology. Innovators.' - 22.10.2025
MEDICA 2025 as a hotspot for "Future Health Tech" - 21.10.2025
TDK Announces it Won the IEC 1906 Award - 17.10.2025
ISM Ingredients: The New Centrepiece of the Raw Materials and Ingredients Industry - 17.10.2025
USP Laser Structures and Polishes Hard Material Components in a Single Clamping operation - 16.10.2025
Mesago Brand SPS Expands to the USA - 16.10.2025
Art Basel Qatar announces 87 galleries for inaugural edition in February 2026 - 15.10.2025
Messe Frankfurt to expand portfolio in Central Asia and organise Intelligent Building Expo - 15.10.2025
NürnbergMesse: Christopher Boss appointed as new Managing Director - 14.10.2025
Anuga 2025 Writes History - 14.10.2025
Fraunhofer IPMS: New Tool for Next-Generation Microdisplays - 10.10.2025
EUROGUSS Turns 30, it Showcases the Issues of the Industry - 10.10.2025
SicherheitsExpo Berlin: The New Trade Fair has Arrived in the Capital - 9.10.2025
EXPO REAL Provides Impetus: The Industry is Focusing on the Future - 9.10.2025
EISENWARENMESSE 2026: DIY Boulevard Booked out soon - 9.10.2025
automatica 2027: Focus on healthcare automation - 8.10.2025
Innovations for additive manufacturing from Fraunhofer ILT - 8.10.2025
STARgate HRS Revolutionizes Hot Runner Technology - 8.10.2025
Uniloy Malaysia: new ASEAN base in Penang, Malaysia - 7.10.2025
Fraunhofer FEP: Sustainable surface technology as the key to resource conservation - 7.10.2025
Successful appearance of the CHIRON Group at EMO 2025 - 7.10.2025
ESD Alliance Reports Electronic System Design Industry Posts $5.1 Billion in Revenue in Q2 2025 - 7.10.2025
Conflux Technology Collaborates with Airbus - 6.10.2025
Siemens unveils Next-Gen EV Charging System for the Megawatt era - 6.10.2025
Smartvolt Launches New Version of its Foldable Solar System - 6.10.2025
RX Honoured with Three Best Company Comparably Awards - 3.10.2025
Fraunhofer FEP: Milestone in Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells - 3.10.2025
Injection Molding “Plus” at K 2025 - 3.10.2025
SEMICON Europa 2025 Presents Innovations - 2.10.2025
Dr. Matthias Hohenleutner Appointed as Vice President of Production at TOPTICA - 2.10.2025
Uniloy: Showcases AII-Eiectric Blow Molding Technologies at K 2025 - 1.10.2025
Unilov Showcases AII-Electric Blow Molding Technologies at K 2025 - 1.10.2025
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Launch the Greece Mission - 1.10.2025
Conflux Technology Collaborates with Airbus - 29.9.2025
Supervisory Board of Messe Berlin extends contract of Chairman Dr. Mario Tobias until 2031 - 29.9.2025
EMO 2025 is Pushing AI and Automation - 29.9.2025
Automation and digitalization form the core of HMI 2026 - 26.9.2025
ProSweets 2026: More performance with Artificial Intelligence - 26.9.2025
Processing meets Packaging: The power pairing with impact - 25.9.2025
GreenDot at K 2025 - 25.9.2025
The Heart of the Real Estate Industry Beats in Munich - 23.9.2025
Anuga Meat 2025 Impresses with its Internationality - 23.9.2025
Kaeser Kompressoren at Powtech Technopharm - 22.9.2025
CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL 2025: A Historic Edition for Europe No. 1 On-Water Boat Show - 22.9.2025
High Expectations for EMO Hannover 2025 - 22.9.2025
Kaeser Kompressoren at EMO - 18.9.2025
ELPECAST® Casting Compounds Suitable for use Outdoors - 17.9.2025
ANUGA 2025: Biggest Anuga of All Time - 17.9.2025
Swiss Innovation Unites for a Sustainable Future - 17.9.2025
Husky Enables Sustainability without Compromise at Drinktec 2025