Coherent has launched the Talisker fibre-based laser, which offers high power, picosecond output in a rugged industrial package.
With more than 18W of average power at a pulse repetition rate of 200kHz (pulsewidth < 15ps), this first fibre-based laser from Coherent will enable precision micromachining with high throughput and negligible HAZ (Heat Affected Zone).
Talisker comes available with a choice of infrared (1,064 nm), visible (532 nm) or ultraviolet (355 nm) wavelengths and can be used on virtually any material type, including metals, polymers, glass and semiconductors. Talisker is also configured to facilitate integration and for ease of use. For instance, its internal web server simplifies remote diagnostics and preventative maintenance. Plus, the compact laser head measures only 17cm x 39cm x 77cm.
Talisker is a mode-locked laser with a scalable architecture that combines the desirable characteristics of both fiber-based and free space lasers. Specifically, Talisker uses a fibre-based oscillator to ensure industrial-grade stability, together with a bulk amplifier which boosts peak powers to greater than 10MW. In contrast, traditional fiber lasers are limited to peak powers that are orders of magnitude lower than this to avoid self-damage.
Talisker is intended for many micromachining applications including microelectronics, biomedical, semiconductor and solar device industries. Specific applications include drilling high quality holes in silicon and metals, direct write of flexible circuits/displays, scribing of flat panel displays/solar cells, micro milling, wafer dicing and metal surface treatments.