New Technology Alliance for Glass and Advanced Brittle Materials Processing

Date: 21 September 2012

New laser process enables faster, more cost-efficient production of cover glasses and FPDsThree leaders in their respective fields have formed a technology alliance to bring a new glass cutting technology to market.

InnoLas Systems GmbH licensed process technology developed by FiLaser LLC and will use ultra-short pulse lasers produced exclusively for InnoLas by LUMERA LASER GmbH. This complete turnkey system designed for glass, sapphire and brittle materials cutting will be available exclusively through InnoLas’ world wide sales network.

Conventional laser cutting is based on rapid heating leading to vaporization and material removal. This process is not only slow, but it also leads to unwanted micro-cracks and a rough surface finish. Material cut with conventional laser processes require post processing in order to remove the unwanted damage. These subsequent grinding and polishing steps are costly and time consuming. Filament cutting, on the other hand, uses ultra-short laser pulses in the picosecond range that cut brittle materials via plasma dissociation. This new process ensures lower surface roughness, high bend strength, and faster processing speed. This new laser cutting technology works especially well on chemically strengthened glass and sapphire, which have been difficult to cut with conventional methods. Filament cutting thus enables a higher quality, throughput and yield in the production of touchscreen displays for smart phones and tablet PCs. Further areas of application include Si, SiC, and GaAs at very high speeds.

Richard Grundmüller, CEO InnoLas: “This innovative laser cutting technology gives us access to new markets, where we can leverage our core competencies in laser machining and glass handling in order to offer our customers a clear competitive edge.”

Jeffrey Albelo, CEO FiLaser: “We have created a novel laser process technology that is at the nexus of physics and materials science. It is purely disruptive and will provide our customers with a compelling motivation to acquire this capability. We believe the combination of these leaders in their respective fields will produce world-class results and will aid in putting this capability into the hands of our customers with speed and 24/7/365 reliability. Looking ahead, we have great expectations as the application potential spans far beyond glass, sapphire, and wafer singulation.

Dr. Achim Nebel, CEO LUMERA LASER GmbH: “LUMERA LASER is delighted to be part of this new partnership. LUMERA has been the leader in ps-laser systems for quite some years and our lasers’ capabilities are a perfect fit for this new application. Up to now the field of glass cutting had mostly been the domain of high average power CW lasers. The FiLaser technology utilizes unique aspects of our ultra-fast lasers providing a fast and high quality solution.”

About InnoLas Systems GmbH

InnoLas Systems GmbH produces laser systems for micro material processing, particularly in the photovoltaic industry, for semiconductors, electronics and precision engineering. InnoLas Systems designs and manufactures machinery solutions as standalone systems or for inline integration, perfectly adapted to industrial production conditions. Worldwide service and support ensures smooth setup and reliable operation. InnoLas Systems utilizes innovations in laser technology to produce highly-efficient and reliable processing systems.

About FiLaser

FiLaser, a newcomer to this space, develops advanced laser technologies used for precision microengineering. Their most recent development has unique benefits and offers exceptional improvements for the touch panel, LCD, cell phone display, automotive, LED, and semiconductor markets. Utilizing lasers from a broad capability range, FiLaser specializes in creating value-added laser processes across a number of markets. It has a state-of-the-art clean room and laser applications laboratory within which it develops process solutions based on customer’s needs and the desired lasermaterial interaction.

About Lumera Laser

Lumera Laser is a leading manufacturer of advanced solid state lasers for industrial applications. The company has pioneered the development of high power picosecond lasers for industrial micromachining and is a globally recognized leader in this quickly growing market segment. A world-wide network of representatives supports global marketing and technical service. LUMERA’s modern facilities include clean rooms for development and manufacture of the laser systems as well as an elaborate application lab. Lumera Laser’s operations are ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified.