"Toolmakers of light"
at LASER World 2015 in Munich
Lasers are conquering the world. Nowadays they have become as indispensable in industrial processes as they have in medicine, aerospace, information and communication technology or science and research. The need for highly efficient, accurate beam sources, optics and positioning systems is growing in line with the plethora of applications. The leading manufacturers will be presenting their latest developments in the laser and optoelectronic components field at the world's leading trade fair LASER World of PHOTONICS in June 2015 in Munich. More than 1,100 exhibitors are expected from around the world.
When the international laser and photonics industry gathers for its international trade fair LASER World of PHOTONICS at the fair ground of Messe München in Munich from 22-25 June 2015, then the presence of laser technology's "enablers", the manufacturers of lasers and optoelectronic components, is a must.
Their tireless research work is what makes the breakneck diffusion of lasers and their ever increasing accuracy and efficiency possible in the first place. Their development departments are the crucible of this technology of the future. The ever increasing diversity of laser applications is grounded in their inventive talent: whether ultra-short pulse lasers for metrology and material processing, high-power laser diodes that are well on their way to making it into industrial surface processing, or new beam sources for microscopy and spectroscopy that enable high resolutions of unequaled magnitude.
"Toolmakers of light" trends
Laser and optoelectronic component manufacturers are the key players when it comes to technological progress in the photonics industry. As "toolmakers of light" they create the solutions for which the users in all the application industries are waiting. Core industry trends are increasing miniaturization and precision, energy and raw materials' efficiency and the ever more finely graduated diversification of the spectrum from ultraviolet to infrared. Driven by semiconductor technology, the manufacturers are pushing forward into new areas of performance. Quantum cascade lasers, considered to be a vision just a few years ago, are approaching market maturity. Experts expect this modified semiconductor technology to lend terahertz systems in the medium infra-red spectrum a completely new momentum.
Behind each of these trends is to be found a slew of detailed questions for developers. Where beam sources are emitting ever greater power in an ever smaller space, cooling becomes a critical factor. Where microscopes permit insights of nanometer (nm) accurate resolution into the metabolism of living cells, this begs the question of equally accurate positioning systems. And where the burgeoning number of multi-kilowatt lasers in industrial three-shift operation is processing materials and consuming three times as much energy as is brought to bear on the processed material, the call for energy efficient system grows louder.
LASER World of PHOTONICS 2015
showcases the latest developments and creates a sense of direction
Even for experts, it is no easy matter to maintain an overview faced with the plethora of innovations and wide-ranging array of products. As the industry's most important flagship show, LASER World of PHOTONICS 2015 offers the perfect opportunity for an update: in 2015 the experts will be exhibiting in five halls for the first time; two halls alone (B2 and B3) are reserved for the "laser and optoelectronics" field. Three practical lecture series - application panels - are scheduled for the trade fair's accompanying program, in which experts from industry and institutes offer an overview of the latest beam source developments: One panel provides information on the status of pico and femtosecond lasers, a second sheds lights on CW and fiber lasers and a third panel summarizes the latest developments with high performance diode lasers. On the last day of the trade fair, 25 June 2015, ten BMBF research associations will be presenting the results of their projects running the gamut of ultra-short pulse technology. Trade visitors should therefore ensure they allow enough time to enjoy the innovation and information extravaganza from the world of beam sources, positioning systems and precision optics.
Images: R. Eberhard, messekompakt.de, EBERHARD print & medien agentur gmbh
Source: Messe München