Scientists, laser manufacturers and users from a wide variety of branches from Germany and abroad will meet here to catch up on the latest trends from ultrafast laser technology.

Over 20 speakers from eight different countries will be showing newest results on ultrafast lasers and optical systems for manufacturing. Special emphasis will be given on the economic integration of ultrafast lasers into production.

The development of ultrafast lasers – having pulse durations in the area of a few hundred femtoseconds to only few picoseconds, as well as power ranging into the kilowatts – has given rise to an ever-increasing variety of applications.

These lasers are currently at the threshold of mass production and have similar growth rates as, for example, CO2, diode or fiber lasers of the past. Stable ultrafast laser systems with power levels up to 100 W can already be purchased on the market. Quite often, however, these outputs cannot be used with existing scanner systems without wasting resources.

For this reason, the workshop will focus on processes and systems which enable the use of full laser power. For example, quick scanning or appropriate beam forming could be used to increase productivity.

In addition to fundamental principles of ultrafast laser technology, the workshop is offering an overview of the current beam source developments and new system technologies. In the sector of process technology, speakers will discuss the latest applications and process approaches, which are expanding today’s frontiers regarding range of materials, processing speed and quality.

Around 160 participants are expected to attend, whereby the increased share of visitors from abroad reflects how relevant this topic has become internationally. Due to an increasing demand among international participants, the conference will be held in English with simultaneous translation into German. One can register as of now at www.ultrafast-laser.com.

Contact

Nelli Hambach Dipl.-Ing.
Micro und Nano Structuring Group
Telephone +49 241 8906-358
nelli.hambach@ilt.fraunhofer.de

Dr. Arnold Gillner
Competence Area Manager of Laser Material Processing
Telephone +49 241 8906-148
arnold.gillner@ilt.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT
Steinbachstraße 15
52047 Aachen