High-performance Diode Laser - Light for Production

Lasers play a key role in modern production processes. They work at a distance, can easily be dosed and do not wear down. Using lasers can contribute to improving products and conserving raw materials. High-performance diode lasers are a new tool. The promotion of this technology is expected to make the production of laser light ten times more efficient than today. This does not only save energy but opens entirely new fields of application and thus perspectives for German industry.

Diode lasers are the smallest and most effective of all laser beam sources. They are characterized by very high efficiency, a long operating life and cost-efficient production processes. Conventional gas and solid state lasers, on the other hand, are usually heavy, unwieldy and cause high operating costs at low efficiency. High-performance diode lasers therefore have great innovation potential and technical as well as economic advantages. These characteristics make high-performance diode lasers a key element of future laser systems.

The special charm of the diode laser is furthermore in that it consists of small components which generate the light directly within the semiconductor. For the first time ever, this makes it possible to adapt a laser source to its application - e.g. by arranging the components in a line or a ring. Such a laser opens up entirely new perspectives for the producing industry and, above all, the development of new applications in materials processing, medical technology as well as printing and display technology.

A look at the market figures highlights the economic potential of new types of laser systems: The worldwide market volume for laser sources amounted to 1.3 billion Euro in 2003 for materials processing alone and 3.5 billion Euro for laser systems. Experts expect an annual growth of about 13 percent up to the year 2010.

Lasers for production are a German success story (source: TRUMPF)
Germany's share in the world market is remarkable: 40 percent of all beam sources sold worldwide and 25 percent of the laser systems for materials processing were made in Germany in 2003. Our country has thus left behind its competitor, the USA. This strength must be maintained and expanded.

High-performance diode lasers and innovative solid state lasers, which are operated - i.e. "pumped" - by these new diodes, are of outstanding importance. The replacement of conventional lasers and the development of new applications will first of all provide new opportunities for the German laser industry. Furthermore, innovative laser technologies also contribute decisively to maintaining the competitiveness of German companies as a whole. In automobile, ship or aircraft construction, for example, more light-weight constructions can be used, weld joints can be improved and processing times be reduced. The products of these industries can be produced more efficiently and live up to higher safety demands.

Ziele und Maßnahmen

The BMBF has supported the study of basic technologies for high-performance diode lasers in different projects. With its funding initiative "Brilliant High-performance Diode Lasers", the BMBF is now supporting cooperation projects between science and industry on high-performance diode lasers and diode-pumped solid state lasers. These projects focus on the implementation of marketable products, production system and services. Research results are to be translated into application within a short time under industrial leadership. About 25 million Euro will be made available for this initiative over the next three years.
Welding of body parts with high-performance diode lasers (source: DaimlerChrysler)

This research work is to be the basis for a new generation of diode lasers and its industrial application in production technology, in printing and in medical technology as well as in display technology. Brilliant pumping sources for fibre lasers, for example, will open up new fields of application for innovative welding procedures. Furthermore, the new generation of high-performance diode lasers is to be used for drying printing dye in offset printing for the first time.

Further objectives of the researchers are red diode lasers with high optical performance for the photodynamic therapy of cancer, and compact lasers in the visible wavelength range for head-up displays in vehicles and for highly brilliant laser TV.

The BMBF expects the "Brilliant High-performance Diode Lasers" funding initiative to result in the long-term strengthening of the competitive position of the laser-producing and laser-applying industry in Germany.
The head-up display on the windscreen indicates possible hazards on the road (source: OSRAM)