The LaserForum initiated by the IVAM Microtechnology Network focused on both scientific-technical results in the field of ultrashort pulse lasers and the exchange of experts from Switzerland, Austria, France and Germany in this autumn.
As part of the event series LaserForum, once a year selected questions and trends concerning the usage of laser technology along the entire value chain are presented and discussed. On October 17, 2017, the Forum visited the NTB Interstate University of Applied Sciences of Technology Buchs in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen with the topic ”Ultrashort pulse lasers: New technologies, material machining and medical technology“.
Ultrashort pulse lasers generate light pulses in the megawatt range with a pulse length in the range of pico- and femtoseconds. They are the ideal industrial tool ready for purposes of micromachining of various materials such as metals, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers and even organic substances. In the context of the LaserForum not only established applications e.g. regarding
materials processing and medical technology but also latest possibilities of applying the USP laser technology were introduced.
In Switzerland, important developments of the ultrashort pulse laser technology have taken place and the Alpine Rhine Valley is a center for photonics in Switzerland. Prof. Carsten Ziolek explained in particular the work of Rhysearch, the research and innovation center in the Rhine Valley. The services such as feasibility studies, focus groups or the provision of research cooperation and innovation projects are also available to German companies.
Technical lectures were held by major international laser companies such as Trumpf, Amplitude (France) and Spectra-Physics, as well as by SMEs such as Femtoprint or OneFive. USP lasers are an ideal tool for microstructuring different materials. Dr. Arnold Gillner from the Fraunhofer ILT gave an outlook that in the foreseeable future a large part of the mechanical processing could be taken over by USP lasers. However, this would require increasing the power of the lasers to several kilowatts, so that the processing can reach an acceptable speed.
Particularly interesting examples have been shown by Professor Cemal Esen of the Ruhr University Bochum in the field of medical technology: In many areas of medicine – from eye operations such as lens adjustments or cataract surgery to dermatological treatments such as skin rejuvenation to dental treatment or the production of stents – ultrashort pulse lasers play an increasingly important role.
Apart from the IVAM Microtechnology Network and the NTB Interstate University of Applied Sciences Buchs, also the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, the Laser Center Hannover e.V. and the LAT of the Ruhr University Bochum were partners of the LaserForum once again. The event was also supported by Swissphotonics, Swissmem-FG-Photonics and the business development department of the St. GallenBodenseeArea. The LaserForum 2018 is expected to take place at the Ruhr University Bochum.
