Byproviding tomorrow’s dream,Walt Disney World® attracts thou-sands of children and adults fromall over the world each day. In a similar way,the International Congress on Applications ofLasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO®) has con-tinuously provided dreams of future scientists,engineers, and business leaders for whomlasers are a part of their lives.The 26th ICALEO will be held Oct. 29-

Nov. 1, 2007 at the Hilton in the Walt DisneyWorld Resort in Orlando, Fla. ICALEO® 2007will include the Laser Materials ProcessingConference and the Laser MicroprocessingConference, as well as a Poster PresentationGallery, the Laser Solutions Short Courses,and a Laser Business Insight Panel Discussion.Furthermore, an exciting new conference has

been added for 2007 devoted strictly tonanomanufacturing.

The Plenary SessionThe world of lasers, like Disney World, has

never been boring. Year after year, we havebeen experiencing breakthroughs in scienceand fast development in engineering and busi-ness. If you count the number of laser-relatedNobel prizes in physics and chemistry and thedollar amount of the laser industry, you wouldagree that lasers are a driving force of greatinventions and social development.Where are new frontiers of lasers and pho-

tonics? Lasers can be characterized by speed(pulse width), color (wavelength), and energy(power). We will have three prominent leaders

Aswe get closer to the 26thInternational Congress onApplications of Lasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO® 2007) and its exciting con-ferences and speakers, now is the perfectchance to examine a sampling of the promis-ing developments in the arena of industriallasers today. There are an ever-increasingnumber of advancements in laser technologyresulting in new systems, techniques andapplications taking up shop in the industrialsector. Additionally, some niche markets forlasers in the entertainment and cosmetic sec-tors have grown exponentially in the last fewyears.

For example, the scope of laser applica-tions in entertainment has grown to the extentthat the cost of low-power lasers specificallydesigned for entertainment venues hasdropped to the point where a nascent garageband can afford a laser light show. Also, theuse of lasers in certain medical and cosmeticprocedures is so prolific in American societythat coupons for services such as correctiveeye surgery and laser hair removal are nowappearing in newspaper advertisements andmass mailed coupon books.However, industrial lasers are more com-

monly referenced as tools for manufacturing,research, and measurement. Some of the more

September/October 2007

LIA TODAYLIA TODAYThe Official Newsletter of the Laser Institute of AmericaThe professional society dedicated to fostering lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide.

13501 Ingenuity Drive, Suite 128; Orlando, FL 32826 Phone: 407.380.1553 Fax: 407.380.5588http://www.laserinstitute.org

Volume 15, Number 5

World’s First 40G SiliconLaser ModulatorIntel® has produced the

very first silicon-based lasermodulator operating at 40Gbit/s, reports the July 25issue of Optics.org.“In January 2007, we

designed and fabricated anew type of silicon opticalmodulator scalable to >10Gbit/s and demonstrated datatransmission at 30 Gbit/s.The modulator still relies onthe free-carrier effect, but itshigh speed is the result of aunique device design withtraveling-wave drivescheme,” said PrincipalEngineer Ansheng Liu.“With a similar device

configuration, the modulatorperformance has been furtherimproved by better devicepackaging to reduce the para-sitic effect, better traveling-wave electrode with lowerRF attenuation, and bettermodulator termination cir-cuitry. This has allowed us toreach the goal of data trans-mission at 40 Gbit/s speed.“The Intel modulator is

based on a Mach-Zehnder

IInnTThhee NNeewwss......

Industrial Lasers Today

(Cont. on pg.12, see In The News…) (Cont. on pg. 8 see Industrial)

(Cont. on pg. 6, see ICALEO)

Walt Disney World of Lasersby Yongfeng Lu

by Stephen Lumbert

Editor-in-Chief..................Peter Baker

Managing Editor...................Kris Stell

Contributing Editor ..............Jack Dyer

Copy Editor ..................Barbara Sams

Copy Editor......................Anja Selnau

Editorial Staff

LIA TODAYLIA TODAY

September/October 2007 2

Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the internationalsociety dedicated to fostering lasers, laser applications andlaser safety worldwide. LIA is the secretariat and publisher ofthe ANSI Z136 series of laser safety standards, and is a leadingprovider of laser safety education.

LIA offers educational programs, conferences and sym-posia on the applications of lasers and electro-optics. LIA’sannual International Congress on Applications of Lasers &Electro-Optics (ICALEO®) features the world’s foremost meet-ing on laser materials processing. The biennial InternationalLaser Safety Conference (ILSC®) covers all aspects of lasersafety practice and hazard control.

If you would like more information about the LIA, call407.380.1553, 1.800.34.LASER or visit our home on the Web:www.laserinstitute.org.

LIA TODAYLIA TODAYThe Official Newsletter of the Laser Institute of America

LIA TODAY is published bimonthly and strives to educateand inform laser professionals on laser safety and new trendsrelated to laser technology. LIA members receive a free sub-scription to LIA TODAY and the Journal of Laser Applications®in addition to discounts on all LIA products and services.The editors of LIA TODAY welcome input from their readers.

Please submit news-related releases, articles of general interest andletters to the editor. Mail us at LIA TODAY, 13501 Ingenuity Drive,Suite 128, Orlando, FL 32826, fax 407.380.5588, or send materialby e-mail to lia@laserinstitute.org.

If you are interested in affordable advertising space in thisnewsletter or a subscription, please contact Jim Naugle at407.380.1553 or 1.800.34.LASER.

Volume 15, Number 5 September/October 2007

IN THIS ISSUE...

Features

Depar tmentsIn The News..............................1Calendar of Events....................2President’s Message..................5Executive Director’s Msg.........5Corporate Profile –Lee Laser ................................14ASC Z136 Update ..................16JLA Update ............................16Welcome New Members........17Members In Motion................18LIA Announces ......................19

For a complete list of LIA corporate members, visit our corporate directory online at www.laserinstitute.org.

Adver tisersALD 2008................................10American Laser Enterprises ..16 Board of Laser Safety ..............7ICALEO 2007 ........................12Kentek........................................4LIA ANSI Z136.1 ........back pg.LIA Podcasts ..........................17LASER VISION USA ..........11Laser Focus World..................13Laser SOS................................18Lee Laser ................................19Photonics Spectra ....................9RPMC Lasers..........................15Wilson Industries ......................3

President – William Shiner, IPG Photonics Corporation

President-Elect – Andreas Ostendorf,Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.

Past-President – Joseph O’Brien, LASERVISION USA

Secretary – Nathaniel Quick,AppliCote Associates, LLC

Treasurer – Stephen Capp, Laserage Technology Corporation

2007 LIA Officers

LIA’s Calendar of EventsFor more information, contact LIA at 1.800.34.LASER or visit ww.laserinstitute.org

Laser Safety Officer TrainingDec. 3-5, 2007 • Miami, FL

Laser Safety Officer with Hazard AnalysisOct. 29-Nov. 2, 2007 • Orlando, FLFeb. 4-8, 2008 • Orlando, FL

Mar. 10-14, 2008 • Las Vegas, NV

Basics of Laser SafetyOct. 11-12, 2007 • Memphis, TN

Industrial Laser SafetyNov. 8, 2007 • San Diego, CA

Medical Laser Safety Officer TrainingNov. 9-10, 2007 • Raleigh, NCJan. 25-26, 2008 • Tampa, FL

Feb. 22-23, 2008 • Las Vegas, NV

ICALEO® 2007Oct. 29-Nov. 1 • Orlando, FL

PICALO 2008April 16-18, 2008 • Beijing, China

ALAW 2008May 13-15, 2008 • Plymouth, MI

Advertising Sales ..............Jim Naugle......................................Kim Truelove

Business Staff

Disney World of Lasers............1Industrial Lasers Today ............1LIA Partners With OP-TEC ToEnhance Opportunities in Opticsand Photonics Education........10LIA and OSHA RenewAlliance....................................13

LIA TODAY

September/October 20073

As we close in on LIA’s 40-year anniversary, we havebeen consistent in our cause– advancing the application of lasers.

For 26 of these years, one of themain ways we have advanced this causeis through our International Congresson Applications of Lasers and Electro-Optics (ICALEO®). Thanks to the greatwork of the general chairs, sessionchairs, speakers and LIA staff, we haveconsistently provided a quality eventthat attracts the very best speakers inour field. Each year we listen carefullyto the feedback from the participantsand each year we evolve and improvethe congress, building excellence andmomentum. This year, for example, weare adding a whole new conference on

nanomanufacturing, reflecting thegrowing interest in this field and featur-ing internationally known researchauthorities.

This year’s ICALEO will be in ourhometown of Orlando and thePresident’s Reception on Monday,October 29 will be in DowntownDisney® Pleasure Island Motion’sNightclub. So, come to Orlando, enjoyanother record-setting event and keepadvancing the cause!

See you in October!

pbaker@laserinstitute.org

LIA TODAY

September/October 20075

LIA Executive DirectorPeter Baker

Executive Director’s Message Advancing the Application of Lasers

As my term as president of LIA isnearing an end, I would like tothank all of you for the support Ihave enjoyed throughout the year. I havetremendous respect and admiration for thededicated staff of the LIA, under the direc-tion of Peter Baker, and for the many accom-plishments they have achieved throughoutthe year. The first ALAW under combined owner-

ship of the LIA and FMA was a major suc-cess, with planning underway for an evenmore successful event in 2008. This year’sICALEO® conference will be the biggest yetwith a record number of submitted papersand an expansion of tabletop exhibitors.Planning for the PICALO 2008 conference,being held in Beijing, China from April 16-18, is well underway with both Americanand Chinese sponsors committed with pre-sentations submitted from Europe, Asia, andthe United States.The second printing of the Laser

Application Resource Guide is already inprogress with additional LIA member com-panies joining the publication. The guide hasproven to be a very valuable asset for engi-

neers looking for products and servicesoffered by our member companies. I would like to invite and encourage

those companies that currently are not corpo-rate members of LIA to strongly considerjoining us in supporting the LIA’s mission ofpropagating the advancement of laser tech-nology and the safe use of lasers throughoutthe world. We need your representation onour various committees and the board ofdirectors to continue this important task.When considering membership, please

ask yourselves what if the LIA did not exist?The LIA has been the golden thread of ourindustry, bonding us together in our commoninterests, providing an outlet for the advance-ment of new applications, new laser technol-ogy, and providing networking opportunitiesand friendships that are invaluable. I feel thatall of us that are benefiting from the activi-ties of the LIA have an obligation to provideour financial support and participation. Weneed your support!

President’s Message

LIA President Bill Shiner

in their fields tell us moreabout the future of lasers andphotonics in the plenary ses-sion.Professor Ferenc Krausz at

Max Planck Institute ofQuantum Optics (Garching,Germany)will give atalk onattosecondphysics.Fundamentalprocesses inatoms, mole-cules, aswell as con-densed matter are triggered ormediated by the motion ofelectrons inside or betweenatoms. Electronic dynamicson atomic length scales tendsto unfold within tens to thou-sands of attoseconds (1 attosecond = 10-18 s). Thekey to accessing the attosec-ond time domain is the con-trol of the electric field of(visible) light, which varies itsstrength and direction withinless than a femtosecond. Fullcontrol of the electromagneticfield in laser pulses compris-

ing a few wave cycles hasrecently allowed generationand measurement of isolatedsub-femtosecond xuv pulses,demonstrating the control ofmicroscopic processes on anattosecond time scale. These

tools have enabled us to visu-alize the oscillating electricfield of visible light with anattosecond “oscilloscope”, tocontrol single-electron andprobe multi-electron dynamicsin atoms, molecules andsolids. Dr. Colin Seaton from

Coherent, Inc. (Santa Clara,CA, USA) will make a presen-tation on RGB laser sourcesfor projection displays. Thelaser-based plays have unre-stricted depth of focus, excel-lent color saturation, high con-

trast ratio, and high res-olution. Each individualpixel is created by coll-inear superposition ofthree laser beams in theimage. It is a technologythat will make our futureentertainment more col-orful and exciting. Dr. Reinhart Poprawe

from Fraunhofer ILT(Aachen, Germany) willshare with us his viewsin a presentation titledPhotonics in the 21stCentury. Photonics is adriver for technologicalinnovation and one ofthe most important keytechnologies for marketsin the 21st Century. Dueto groundbreakingprogress in photonics

and the related disciplines, anew generation of photonictools is within reach. Now wehave the means and the insightto create photonic systems thatwill fully exploit the uniquepowers and potentials inherent

to light. Just as the technologi-cal breakthroughs of the 20thCentury were enabled by theutilization of the electron, the21st Century will very likelyprove to be the century of thephoton.

Laser MaterialsProcessing and LaserMicroprocessingConferencesPaul Denney and his team

have put up an exciting pro-gram for the Laser MaterialsProcessing Conference. Oneof the drivers for this field isthe development of new andimprovements to existingsolid-state lasers (disk, fiber,and direct diode). This yearwill have sessions on highbrightness lasers and diodetechnology. In addition to newlaser technologies, approachesto manufacturing needs arealso a major topic at this con-ference. The ability to tailor astructure through direct metaldeposition (DMD) or torepair/refurbish a worn partare two major driving forcesfor research efforts in additivemanufacturing. For more con-trolled and understoodprocesses, there will be ses-sions on Modeling &Simulation and Monitoring &Control.

Xinbing Liu and his teamcreatively organized thisyear’s program for the LaserMicroprocessing Conference.Laser microprocessing isbecoming an enabling tool fora variety of industries that

demand evermore precise fea-tures at microme-ter or even small-er dimensions.Ultrafast laserprocessing con-tinues to be amainstay, as wellas nanosecond

pulse micro-drilling. Othersessions include fiber laserapplications, surface modifi-cation, micro-welding/struc-turing/ forming/packaging,device manufacturing, deposi-tion and process monitoring,biomedical applications, andlight sources for micropro-cessing. A highlighted sessionon hybrid and other novelprocessing techniques will bepresented. Lasers are also being called

upon to make an impact on theearth’s environment. The LaserMaterials Processing and LaserMicroprocessing Conferencesare jointly sponsoring a ses-sion on how lasers are beingused for “green” applicationsthat will have a positiveimpact on the earth and globalwarming.

NanomanufacturingConferenceAs nanotechnology

research and innovation areprogressing at exponentiallyrising rates, their promise forunprecedented societalimpacts requires that the man-ufacturing issues be explored.The inaugural Nanomanufac-turing Conference of ICALEOis initiated in 2007 to addressthe producibility, predictabilityand productivity aspects of

LIA TODAY

September/October 2007 6

ICALEO, cont. from pg. 1

Professor Yongfeng Lu is the2007 ICALEO general chair.

optical and laser-related nano-technologies for nanomanufac-turing and their scale-up formass production. According toHaris Doumanidis, the confer-ence chair, there are consider-able outstanding researchopportunities in far- and near-field electromagnetic materialsprocessing, optical manufac-turing processes and industrialplatforms, as well as their hier-archical multi-scale integrationacross interdisciplinary ener-getic domains with nano-mechanics, fluidics, thermody-namics, chemical and biologi-cal phenomena. This confer-ence will highlight research inemerging technologies in laser

nanopatterning, holographiclithography, nanoparticle gen-eration, pulsed laser depositionand sintering, micro/nano-machining, multi-photon poly-merization, laser-assisted char-acterization and scanningprobe lithography/microscopy,for a variety of applicationsincluding nanocomposites,flexible electronics, photo-voltaics, biosensors, etc.

Additional Events In addition to the technical

conferences on laser materialsprocessing, laser micropro-cessing, and nanomanufactur-ing, ICALEO 2007 has orga-nized a Laser Business Insight

– Panel Discussion that shouldbe of particular interest forparticipants who would like togain more information andexperience in the laser busi-ness. Valuable experience willbe presented, and there will beplenty of time to interact withcolleagues and experts.Moreover, the Laser

Solutions Short Courses areideal for those who want toreceive a complete overviewon the state-of-the-art in laserprocessing. A series of fiveshort courses taught by indus-trial photonics experts willaddress fundamentals relatedto lasers, optics, material pro-cessing, and applications and

are designed to complementthe other ICALEO activities.The ICALEO 2007 Vendor

Tabletop Display & Receptionwill be an important network-ing opportunity to discussindividual ideas with industryrepresentatives. Additionalsocial events include thePresident’s Reception, the LIAAnnual Meeting & AwardsLuncheon, and the Meet &Greet Fiesta. For more infor-mation, visit www.icaleo.org.

Yongfeng Lu, the ICALEO2007 general chair, is a pro-fessor at the University ofNebraska-Lincoln.

LIA TODAY

September/October 20077

common examples are laserwelding, cutting, and engrav-ing, but one of the most excit-ing growth areas of industriallaser applications and thefocus of a new conference atICALEO 2007 is nanomanu-facturing.

The Nano WorldNanomanufacturing, also

known as nanoprototyping,nanomachining, or nanofabri-cation, or the process ofworking with materials withinthe sub-100nm realm, hasfinally begun to come into itsown. Applications like creat-ing metal nanoarrays byaccessing and manipulatingthe hydrodynamic instabilitiesin metal films have the poten-tial to revolutionize the lasermanufacturing of solar panelsand optical storage devices.Laser sintering, or usinglasers for the deposition ofmaterials onto nano-scalewires and other substrates isanother potential industrial

laser application. For exam-ple, laser sintering mayenhance additive manufactur-ing and the ability to repair orrefurbish worn parts. Laser ablation techniques

use lasers to blast or chopnanoparticles from a solidsource substrate immediatelyinto a prepared liquid. Theseprocedures can enhance ourability to manufacture stablenanomaterials. Another resultis the complete dispersion orlossless embedding ofnanoparticles into anothermaterial. Additionally, sinceno chemical agent or catalystis used in laser ablationprocesses, the products areextremely pure allowing forimproved quality control. Oneexample is the use of low-power femtosecond laser puls-es to snip out nerve axons,nano-size elements of nervecells that transport nerve sig-nals to muscles or to othercells. Advances in laser mea-surement and calibration stan-

dards or laser metrology arekey enablers for manufactur-ing biomedical devices andnanosensors. Laser metrologytoday includes tools that con-firm fabrication tolerances innanometer range. In order toachieve the real potential ofcreating and manufacturingnew nanomaterials, biode-vices, and other nanoproducts,a successful metrology infra-structure is required.However, laser metrology alsohas applications in the macroworld.The Paranal Observatory

(Paranal, Chile) uses a lasermetrology system to enhancethe results of observationsmade by the very large tele-scope interferometer (VLTI).This system monitors the opti-cal path of the captured stellarlight over a subterranean opti-cal path approximately 200meters long involving 25 mir-rors before reaching theParanal Observatory'sInterferometric Laboratory.The laser metrics system usedhas an accuracy goal of 5nm1.

Today’s Industrial LasersIndustrial laser material

processing has seen greatimprovements in the last fewyears and one of the drivers isthe development of improve-ments to existing solid-statelasers such as disk, fiber, anddiode. The optical and opera-tional characteristics of theseenhanced lasers have resultedin the displacement of manyexisting lasers and other pro-cessing technologies whileencouraging the developmentof new processes. Industriallaser processes make it possi-ble to perform amazing manu-facturing tasks today. Forexample, today’s state-of-the-

art facilities can employ deeppenetration laser welding andengraving, cladding, 3d profilecutting or laser machining in arange of tolerances frommacro to nano. Optical fiber lasers are

closer to becoming the laser ofchoice in many industrialapplications. One reason is theability to house the laser in adifferent location than that ofthe workstation. This has beenbeneficial in dangerous situa-tions like the welding ofexplosive products or work-spaces that are restricted orexpensive. Fiber lasers arenow available off-the-shelfwith power outputs of 200Wfor use in such applications as:• Cutting thin metal• Micromachining• Precision welding• Marking & Engraving• Rapid Prototyping• Selective Layer MeltingHybrid laser welding is

another topic that will also becovered at ICALEO 2007 dur-ing the Materials ProcessingConference. This processcombines the use of laser(s)with various gas metal arc-welding techniques to producedeep penetration welds andbetter gap tolerance. Examplesof hybrid laser welding todaycan be found in shipbuildingyards and where dissimilarmetals like aluminum alloys tostainless steel is needed.Specialty weld seams of heli-coidal, rectilinear, or even spi-raled shapes can be producedusing hybrid laser weldingprocesses. Environmentally friendly

manufacturing is an importanttopic to the public, regulatorybodies, and stockholderstoday. Subsequently, mostpeople involved warmly

LIA TODAY

September/October 2007 8

Industrial , cont. from pg. 1

Today’s state-of-the-art facilities deploylasers to meet the challenge of a widevariety of applications. 1http://www.eso.org/projects/vlti/publink/2001/ODIMAP3.pdf

2http://www.ndcee.ctc.com/media/tasks/Task%20N219%2004-05.pdf

receive any new processes orproducts that can makeindustrial lasers more eco-friendly. Laser markingprocesses are generally“green” by nature. No chemi-cals, ink, or environmentallyunfriendly chemical solventsare used for most lasermarked products, whichrange from paper or metallabels to food products.Additionally, industrial lasershave been used by the UnitedStates military to stripradomes and helicopterblades in a project involvingtwo Department of Defensetesting facilities. The initialresults reported by theDefense Center forEnvironmental Excellence(NDCEE) “show that effec-tive implementation of laser

decoating technology pro-vides the following benefits: • Reduced environmentalimpact

• Reduced health andsafety risks

• Decreased operatingcosts

• Enhanced capability toapply advanced coatingsystems (by providingan effective means toremove them)2.

Finally, the implementa-tion of industrial lasers has abroad impact on manufactur-ing today, and what thefuture will bring can only beimagined. These examples of indus-

trial lasers and their impactare just a very small sampleof topics and information theICALEO 2007 conferences,

developmentsessions, andshort courseswill have tooffer atten-dees. ICALEOincludes a ple-nary session,LaserMaterialsProcessingConference,Laser Micro-processingConference,Nanomanu-facturingConference, PosterPresentation Gallery, LaserSolutions Short Courses, aPresident’s and VendorReception and much more. Itbe held Oct. 29-Nov. 1 inOrlando, Fla. at the Hilton in

the Walt Disney World®Resort. For more informationon ICALEO 2007, visitwww.icaleo.org.

Stephen Lumbert is a free-lance technical writer for LIATODAY.

published by:

Laurin PublishingBerkshire Common

PO Box 4949 Dept. LAPittsfield, MA 01202-4949

Tel: +1 (413) 499-0514Fax: +1 (413) 442-3180

E-mail: photonics@laurin.com

Read the Industry’s Leading MagazineGet The Information You Need To Stay Ahead.Photonics is a fast-paced technology, and keeping up with theday-to-day developments in optics, lasers, imaging, fiberoptics, electro-optics and photonic component manufacturinghas never been so critical.

Photonics Spectra magazine will keep you on top of developments with complete news and information on thistechnology each month. The latest information on research anddevelopment, innovative applications and products, new ideas in design, business trends — all of these are in every issue ofPhotonics Spectra.

Today, more professionals in this industry read PhotonicsSpectra than any other photonics publication. The industry’s most experienced editorial staff presents feature articles on timely subjects, vital news on the latest photonics technology and columns designed to give you thecomplete picture of the photonics industry.

To Get a Free Subscription,visit us at www.photonics.com or call +1 (413) 499-0514.

LIA TODAY

September/October 20079

For all the latest information on lasersand their applications, plan to attendICALEO 2007 in Orlando, Florida.

LIA TODAY

September/October 2007 10

The Laser Institute ofAmerica (LIA) hasrecently joinedforces with OP-TEC, the

National Center for Optics andPhotonics Education located atCORD in Waco, Texas. Thepartnership intends to expandeducation in the growing fieldof optics and photonics, and

support the promising future ofthis important new technology.Conferences held by LIA,

such as the International

Conference on Applications ofLasers & Electro Optics (ICA-LEO®), will promote the ser-vices and materials of OP-TEC. Likewise, workshopsand conferences held by OP-

TEC will promote the servicesand materials of LIA.“LIA and OP-TEC have

teamed together to pursue sim-ilar goals in movingthe photonics industryand photonics educa-tion forward,” said Dr.Fred Seeber, co-princi-pal investigator of OP-TEC.

Program Mission Recently funded by the

National Science Foundationin 2006, the mission of OP-TEC is to integrate optics andphotonics education into thecurriculum of secondaryschools and post-secondary

schools by providing work-shops, instructional materials,assessment, faculty develop-ment, recruiting, and supportto the institutions that offercourses in these fields.Advancements in photonictechnology and the lack ofskilled technicians throughoutthe nation have created a highdemand that requires supportfrom organizations such asLIA and OP-TEC.In the next four years, OP-

TEC is projected to produce anaverage of over 1,800 skilledtechnicians annually and haveover 150 colleges and over400 high schools using itsmaterials and services.

LIA Partners With OP-TEC to Enhance Opportunities in

Optics and Photonics Education

San Diego, CaliforniaApril 9-12, 2008ALD’s 15th Annual Conference & ExpoLOEWS Coronado Bay ResortLasers in Clinical Practice – Point & Counterpoint• Diagnostics • Caries management• Endodontics • Periodontics• Prosthodontics / Implantology

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LIA TODAY

September/October 200711

LIA TODAY

September/October 2007 12

interferometer with a reverse-biased pn junction in each ofthe arms. When a reverse volt-age is applied to the junction,free carriers – electrons andholes resulting from the n- andp-dopants – are pulled out ofthe junction, changing itsrefractive index via the free-carrier effect. To minimize theRC constant limitation, Intelresearchers adopted a travel-ing-wave drive scheme allow-ing electrical and optical signalco-propagation along thewaveguide. The traveling-waveelectrode was designed tomatch the velocity for bothoptical and electrical signals,while keeping the RF attenua-tion small.With the demonstration of

the 40 Gbit/s silicon modulatorand the electrically pumpedhybrid silicon laser, it willbecome possible to integratemultiple devices on a single

chip that can transmit terabitsof aggregate data per second inthe near future - truly enablingtera-scale computing.

Alliance Nets UK grantA project looking to “pro-

mote the UK to the forefrontof leading research” into GaNLED light sources has earned$3.4 million in funding fromthe UK government, reportedthe Aug. 2 issue of Optics.org.The partnership, which beganin March, is called NoveLELS.It will run for three years andinvolves nine different partici-pating institutions. The LEDtechnology development willrely heavily on the two acade-mic partners, using BrunelUniversity’s expertise in phos-phors, and HVPE andMOCVD techniques developedby Wang Nang Wang at theUniversity of Bath.The collaboration hopes to

use Wang’s processes toincrease yields and make GaNLEDs on 4-inch wafers, com-bining it with the technologyof the other partners to reducecost per lumen in solid-statelight sources. IQE will con-tribute epitaxial foundry ser-vices to help achieve these tar-gets. The ultimate aim is todevelop LED products thatcould enter commercial pro-duction – although no volumemanufacturing is planned inthe collaboration. The threeremaining partners,AgustaWestland, Airbus UKand GE Aviation, will providespecifications and testing.

America COMPETES ActBrings Changes to NISTOn Aug. 9, the President

signed the America COM-PETES Act (Public LawNumber 110-69), which autho-rizes funding for the National

Institute of Standards andTechnology (NIST) for thenext three years. Several provi-sions have immediate conse-quences for NIST and relatedDepartment of Commerceagencies and programs. Thestatute authorizes a NIST bud-get of $863 million for FY2008. This includes fundingfor NIST’s portion of thePresident’s AmericanCompetitiveness Initiative,which puts NIST’s core pro-grams (laboratories and facili-ties) and two other science andtechnology agencies on trackto double their R&D budgetsover 10 years. The FY 2007budget for NIST was $676.9million.The act eliminates NIST’s

Advanced TechnologyProgram (ATP), but allows forcontinued support for previousand pending ATP awards. Thesame statute creates the

In The News, cont. from pg. 1

Technology Innovation Program (TIP). Theact also eliminates the Department ofCommerce’s Technology Administration(TA).

Laser Fusion Project Wins Go-AheadA UK-led team of scientists has won

European Union approval to prepare theground for a laser-based nuclear fusion facili-ty. The HiPER (high-energy laser fusionresearch) team will now start a three-yearproject to define the technologies that will beused to build an experimental prototype,reports the Sept. 6 issue of Optics.org.Other large-scale laser facilities, such as

Mégajoule and the National Ignition Facilitynow being constructed in Livermore, Calif.,have been designed for military applications,but the primary purpose of HiPER will be togenerate energy from nuclear fusion. Theteam is therefore focusing on the develop-ment of an all-optical “fast ignition” fusionprocess that it believes will be more suitablefor commercial power generation plants. Theultimate aim for the HiPER project is todevelop the technology needed for a commer-cial power generation plant.

LIA TODAY

September/October 200713

The Laser Institute of America(LIA) has recently renewed itsalliance with the U.S. Department ofLabor’s Occupational Safety andHealth Administration (OSHA) to con-tinue providing its members withimportant information to help preventexposure to laser beam and non-beamhazards in industrial and medicalworkplaces.“Through this cooperative alliance,

OSHA and the LIA are focusing onsharing information on laser regula-tions and standards, the bioeffects thatlasers have on the eyes and skin, lasercontrol measures, and laser safety pro-gram administration,” said Edwin G.Foulke Jr., assistant secretary of laborfor OSHA. “For example, the alliance has pro-

duced the Laser Safety InformationBulletin that was also developed into apodcast by the LIA. This informationis beneficial to employers and employ-

ees in the medical, industrial, military,research and development, and opticalfiber communications industries.”“LIA is pleased to renew this

alliance, which gives us an opportuni-ty to continue the partnership withOSHA on laser safety training andeducation in the workplace,” saidLIA’s Executive Director Peter Baker.“We are committed to working togeth-er with OSHA to educate not onlytheir employees, but all laser users onthe safe use of lasers.” Through the alliance, LIA mem-

bers contribute information about lasersafety to the online editorial boards onfour of OSHA’s Safety and HealthTopics pages. For additional informa-tion or a sample copy, contact RichGreene at 407-380-1553,rgreene@laserinstitute.org, or at LaserInstitute of America located at 13501Ingenuity Drive, Suite 128, Orlando,FL 32826.

LIA and OSHA Renew Alliance

An LIA corporatemember since 1988,Lee Laser’s funda-mental business is the manufac-ture and OEM sale of industrialgrade solid-state lasers to othercompanies that integrate LeeLaser’s lasers into their prod-ucts for ultimate resale to end-users. Located near the LIAoffices in Orlando, Fla., ninety-five percent of Lee Laser’s laserbusiness is in the area of OEMsales. In the U.S., Lee Laser isthe largest OEM solid-statelaser source for these types oflasers.

About the CompanyChong Lee (currently a

senior advisor for the compa-ny) founded Lee Laser in1984. Today’s president is DonBishop. In 1996, Lee Laserpurchased its present facilitythat now contains 37,000square feet of office and manu-facturing space. Lee Laser’ssole facility is located inOrlando, where it has fullproduct development facilities.The company manufactures allof its laser products at thissame facility and currently has50 employees. “Lee Laser was formed in

1984 as an OEM source forcontinuously-pumped and Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers forindustry and science. Using themost reliable electronic andsolid-state laser technology, thecompany designed the unique-ly new Series 700 lasers to filla market void created by exist-ing products that had changedlittle over the previous 15years. Since then, Lee Laser’sproduct line has expanded toinclude both lamp-pumped anddiode-pumped CW and Q-switched 1064nm lasers up to1000 Watts for marking, trim-

ming, scribing, welding andcutting,” said Lee Laser’s VicePresident/Sales Bob Schricker.“Our 532nm lamp-pumped

and diode-pumped lasers up to250 Watts have become highlysought for a variety of diverseindustrial and scientific appli-cations from PIV to Ti:Sap-phire pump sources to semi-conductor and solar-cell manu-facture. Since 1996, we haveintroduced 1064nm pulse-lamp-pumped and pulsed-diode-pumped lasers up to 100Watts for micro-cuttingof medical stent devicesand stencil masks forSMT. Finally, Lee Laserspecializes in OEMengineering to enhancefit, form and function ofour lasers into our cus-tomers’ micro-machin-ing systems.”

Staying CompetitiveThe largest industry

growth Schricker hasseen during the last fiveyears has clearly been indiode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers, andespecially those withemission wavelength of532nm, he said. “Major growthhas developed in high-powerlasers at 532nm, with a deliv-ered base of approximately 100lasers with output power in the100-200 Watt range.” “Historically, Lee Laser’s

best selling products have beenthe lamp-pumped Series 700Nd:YAG lasers, and theupgrade Series 800 Lasers thatfollowed. In 1997, Lee Laserintroduced the diode-pumpedSeries LDP Nd:YAG lasersthat complimented their lamp-pumped equivalents, followedin 2004 by the highly compactSeries LEP DPSS lasers that

can perform many of the sameapplications. Together, theseproduct lines represent aninstallation base of nearly10,000 lasers,” he explained. Schricker explained how

fiber lasers have become a clearcompetitor for some micro-machining applications and thatLee Laser’s future growth willbe in applications areas that arenot accessible to fiber lasers. AtPhotonics West 2008, the com-pany will introduce UV laserswith output power up to 10

Watts at 355nm.An LIA member for almost

20 years, Lee Laser sees thevalue in belonging to the soci-ety. “The LIA is a great gather-ing place for members of thelaser industry, users with seri-ous interest in understandingthe products that they need anduse, and manufacturers with aserious interest to communi-cate their capabilities to theusers. ICALEO® is one of theparamount dissemination sitesfor information about industri-al applications of lasers,” saidSchricker. For more information, visit

www.leelaser.com.

Lee LaserM

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14September/October 2007

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Model LDPP-50M, pulsed diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser is used toprecision cut thin metals such asmedical stents and stencil masks.

15 September/October 2007

LIA TODAY

16September/October 2007

LIA TODAY

• Laser cutting and welding tools

• Interactive process control and process monitoring

• Inspection tools

• Control circuits

• Seam tracking

• Beam delivery

• Cladding

American Laser Enterprises has the

technological experience to bring you

the best OEM components and

systems for industrial laser

applications.

55820 Grand River Ave., New Hudson, MI 48165

248.449.3714www.a-l-e.net

Journal of Laser Applications® Update

The Journal of Laser Applications® offers the latest refereedpapers by leading researchers in the laser community. The August2007 issue includes papers from materials processing, biomed-ical, and safety. Look for the online version at www.laserinsti-tute.org/publications/jla/. To view the journal online, please makesure your membership is current. Starting with the August 2007issue, online figures will be in color. In addition, articles will nowbe posted online as the production cycle is completed ensuringtimely publication. These articles will be fully citable.The JLA is published four times a year by the Laser Institute

of America in February, May, August and November. It is sentto all LIA members as a member benefit. For nonmembers ofLIA, call the American Institute of Physics at 1.800. 344.6902for subscription information.Sign up at http://scitation.aip.org/jla/alert.jsp to receive your

JLA table of content e-mail alerts.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming meetings!

• October 10-11, 2007 – Z136 Technical Subcommittee(TSC) 4, Control Measures, Rockwell Laser Industries,Cincinnati, Ohio. Book your stay at the Crowne Plaza BlueAsh/Cincinnati and ask for RLI corporate rates; business $109,regular $99, government $103. For meeting information, go towww.z136.org and check the TSC-4 web page. Questions?Contact Bill Ertle at billertle@rli.com.

• November 28, 2007 – ICES TC95, THz Ad Hoc WorkingGroup Meeting, Irving, Texas. The purpose of this half daymeeting is to examine recent research in the wavelength regionthat overlaps the IEEE Radiofrequency/Microwave standard(IEEE/ANSI C95.1-2005) and the Z136 laser standard (ANSIZ136.1-2007). Although the MPEs are effectively the same atthe frequency/wavelength interface between the two standards(300 GHz/1 mm), they were predominantly derived by theextrapolation of research results relatively far removed from300 GHz. The ad hoc will examine new and pertinent researchin this region in order to confirm or revise the current MPEsbased on a scientifically defensible rationale. For additionalinformation, contact Ron Petersen at r.c.petersen@ieee.org.

• February 8, 2008 – ASC Z136 Annual Meeting, Orlando,Florida. The annual meeting will be held at the Holiday InnSelect, Orlando International Airport starting at 8 a.m. onFriday. Various subcommittee meetings will be held in con-junction with the annual meeting beginning on Wednesday,Feb. 6 (SSC-6) and concluding Saturday, Feb. 9 (SSC-3).Meetings, schedules, and hotel reservation information will bedistributed to ASC Z136 members. If you are interested in par-ticipating or observing the meeting(s), please contact BarbaraSams at bsams@laserinstitute.org.

ASC Z136 Update

Mary Frazier, Pine Bluff, ARKathy Baxter, Gilbert,AZJoe Garcia, Glendale, CAAurelie Ledeur, Petaluma, CARoy Lindahl, Santa Clara, CASusan Peterson, Santa Clara, CAErin Alonso, Sunset Beach, CAKent Stringham, West Sacramento, CASusan Wright, New Port Richey, FLM.J. Soileau, Orlando, FLAli Galindo, Pembroke Pines, FLClayton Hopkins, Pinellas Park, FLShannon Meyers, Winter Garden, FLDouglas Houser, Iowa City, IAZhiyue Xu, Argonne, ILJoseph Santner, Naperville, ILJudith Goss, New Berlin, ILMike Shaffer, Columbus, INRobert Marusa, Noblesville, IN

Mary King, Paducah, KYBertrand Janne, D’Othee, Boston, MALaura Rossinow, Newton Highlands, MAFeng Lu, Auburn Hills, MILouis Chmura, Marshall, MIVeronica Ronco, Wyandotte, MIHeather Lambott, Helena, MTDaniel Sullivan, RTP, NCJonathan Stewart, Newington, NHMark Crawford, Hackensack, NJDarci Bell, Carle Place, NYHuan Qi, Schenectady, NYScott Wohlstein, West Chester, OHB. Burgess-Shackelford, Muskogee, OKMatthew Hart, Hillsboro, ORLinda Columbus, Freeport, PAMelissa Herbert, Freeport, PARuth Loser, Harrisburg, PAMark Lonie, Leola, PA

Ilias Syrgabaev, Warminster, PAShichan Chiang, Knoxville, TNAnna Rosinska, Midland, TXAlain Villeneuve, Mont-Royal, QCCanada

Alex Fraser, Quebec, QC, CanadaThomas Frick, Erlangen, GermanyGuido Bonati, Jena, GermanyPhil Tyley, Farnborough, Great BritainShefiu Zakariyah, Leicestershire, Great Britain

Rayl Shankar, Coimbatore, IndiaXudong Zhang, Ibaraki-ken, JapanLuis Ponce, Altamira, Tamps, MexicoMin Sang Jung, Chungnam, South KoreaYeong-Sik Kim, Chungnam, South KoreaJin Pyeong Kim, Jinju-si, South KoreaMok-Young Lee, Pohang, South Korea

Welcome New LIA Members

For a complete list of corporate members, visit our corporate directory at www.laserinstitute.org.

Corporate Members

Individual Members

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LIA TODAY

• Cascade Laser Corporation, Newberg, OR• Alliance Laser Sales, Inc., Wauconda, IL

• OK International, Inc., Garden Grove, CA• QPC Lasers, Inc., Sylmar, CA

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LIA TODAY

CVI Completes MellesGriot AcquisitionCVI, Albuquerque, NM, an

optical and laser technologycompany, announced that ithas completed the acquisitionof Melles Griot from Barlo-world Scientific Ltd. CVI andMelles Griot will operateunder a unified managementteam and do business as CVIMelles Griot. With worldwidemanufacturing and distributionin Asia, Europe, and NorthAmerica, the new company isuniquely positioned to take aleadership position, supplyinglasers, optical components,and opto-mechanical assem-blies. This acquisition enablesCVI Melles Griot to bringdesign, manufacturing, assem-bly, and testing of photonic

products and optical systemstogether under one roof. Formore information visitwww.cvimellesgriot.com.

Distribution and Service AgreementLaser Mechanisms, Inc.,

Farmington Hills, Mich., hasannounced a partnership withScansonic GmbH to distributeand service its seam trackinglaser welding and brazing sys-tems to the North Americanmarket. Scansonic’s process-ing heads for automated laserwelding and brazing of thinsheet metal are recognizedworldwide as cutting edgemanufacturing technology.According to the company,their solution for integratedseam tracking has made the

name Scansonic synonymouswith car body manufacturingfor the automobile industry.For more information visitwww.lasermech.com.

Miyachi Unitek’s SpanishWebsite LaunchedMiyachi Unitek, Monrovia,

Calif., has launched a Spanishlanguage website. The newsite is accessible either via acheckbox on the MiyachiUnitek home page or directlyat www.muc.miyachi.com.mx.The new website offersSpanish speakers user-friendlyaccess to Miyachi Unitekproduct and application infor-mation, news, and more, andis part of a larger outreachcampaign that includes adver-tising and tradeshow participa-

tion in Mexico and Centraland South America. The com-pany designs and manufactur-ers a full range of resistancewelding and reflow solderingpower supplies, heads, moni-tors and accessories for bothlarge scale and fine spot appli-cations requiring precisionmetals joining, hermetic seal-ing systems, and lasers andlaser systems.

PhotoMachining ExpandsPhotoMachining, Inc.,

Pelham, NH, has added 4,000square feet to its floor space inorder to accommodate morejob shop platforms as well asfor an equipment showroom.The company is positioningitself for the growth expectedin the upcoming year.

Members In Motion

LIA Promotes Safety at ASSE ConferenceConsistent with its mission to foster

lasers, laser applications, and laser safetyworldwide, LIA was an exhibitor at theannual American Society of SafetyEngineers (ASSE) Professional Develop-ment Conference that was attended bymore than 3,600 international safety pro-fessionals from 44 countries around theworld. LIA is proud to have been part ofthe record number of exhibitors at the2007 conference, which was held at theOrange County Convention Center inOrlando, Fla. in June.At the conference, LIA made avail-

able the revised ANSI Z136.1 (2007)Safe Use of Lasers standard, which is theparent document and cornerstone of theZ136 series of laser safety standards.LIA continued its support of ASSE’sfoundation by providing a free laser safe-ty training registration for its annualsilent auction.“This years ASSE Conference not

only set records for the show organizersbut also for LIA” said LIA’s MarketingDirector Jim Naugle. “This year’s showproved to us why we are here. We hadoverwhelming interest in our industryleading laser safety training courses,questions specifically geared toward thechanges to the revised ANSI Z136.1, andrecord inquiries relating to our corporatemembers products and services.”LIA plans to expand its presence at

ASSE next year and continue to promoteits wide array of products and services tothousands of safety professionals.

LIA Teaches Laser Safety Via One-Hour WebcastLIA recently provided the educational

content for a webcast about industrial lasersafety that streamed over the Internet onJuly 31, 2007. Industrial Laser Solutionshosted the webcast on its official websitewith sponsorship from Fumex and Kentek,both corporate members of the LIA.Topics such as laser accidents, beam andnon-beam hazards, and control measureswere addressed to users of industrial lasersduring the one-hour webcast.Gus Anibarro, education manager of

LIA, instructed the course. Anibarro cur-rently teaches courses on laser safety, and

this was his first time doing so via web-cast. “It was a great new experience,”Anibarro said. “I was able to reach anaudience that was scattered all over theworld.” Registered users viewing the webcast

were able to email Anibarro questions,which he answered at the conclusion ofthe presentation. Among the manyinquiries from laser users, Anibarro statedthat the hazardous effects of laser beamson the eyes was of greatest concern. Helooks forward to instructing more courseson laser safety by means of webcast inthe future.The laser safety webcast will be avail-

able on-demand for one year on the offi-cial website of Industrial Laser Solutions.For more information about the webcast,or to view it, visit http://ils.pennnet.com/webcast.

PICALO ApproachingThe 3rd Pacific International

Conference on Applications of Lasers andOptics (PICALO) will be held April 16-18, 2008 in Beijing, China. Presented byLIA in cooperation with Laser ProcessingCommittee of China Optical Society andTsinghua University, PICALO will focuson the growth and application of lasersand optics in the Pacific region. Topicssuch as aerospace, cutting and drilling,welding, manufacturing, research, soft-ware, and hybrid processes will be cov-ered. New for 2008 is the PICALOInternational Enterprise Summit, dis-cussing the impact of globalization on thelaser industry. For more information onPICALO 2008, including sponsor andvendor display opportunities, visitwww.laserinstitute.org/conferences orcontact Beth Cohen at 800-34-LASER ore-mail bcohen@laserinstitute.org.

Laser Safety Bulletin BoardGot a concern or new idea relating to

laser safety? Want to share some informa-tion? Then go to the Board of LaserSafety’s (BLS) new online forum – theLaser Safety Bulletin Board. BLS, anaffiliate of LIA, created this bulletinboard to provide an online resource forimprovement in the practice of laser safe-ty. To use this new tool, go to www.laser-safety.org/forum.

LIA Announces

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LIA TODAY

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAID Orlando, FLPermit #2342

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