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LIMO FAC

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:59:00 +0200

Product News May 2013

LIMO FAC - optimal for automated assembly

LIMO fast axis collimators can be optimally used with monolithically integrated reference surfaces or adjustment grooves for automatic adjustment.

Moreover, recent measurements and simulations show: When using the right mount the process window for the adjustment degree of freedom "rotation around the long axis" can be significantly increased.

With the right mount and the right assembly algorithms the adjustment degree of freedom "rotation around the long axis" permits tolerances of several degrees without any impairment of the FAC performance. Micro-optics assembly times and costs can be significantly reduced by means of the adjustment insensitivity of the LIMO FACs. Of course, the LIMO team is ready to help customers in further optimizing their automatic micro-optics assembly.

Learn more about the LIMO FACs by visiting LIMO at LASER World of PHOTONICS, Munich, Germany, May 13-16, 2013 – Hall B1/Booth #315.

Too clever by half:

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:47:00 +0100

In a positive sense too clever by half is an innovation by LIMO: the company from Dortmund has developed a beam shaping module for its L³ LIMO Line Laser system, which accelerates the annealing processes significantly. Nine fiber-coupled laser modules produce – thanks to the patented beam shaping- a homogeneous, very intense line. "It must be a linear source which scans over the surface and thus enables a uniform and continuous processing of the irradiated areas." This, Dirk Hauschild, Director Thin-film Activation in LIMO, learned from material specialists from around the world on the question of the ideal energy source for the uniform planar heating of thin films. On the basis of this information the L³ LIMO Line Laser systems have been developed - as an alternative to typical punctual working lasers - e.g. existing of nine fiber-coupled laser modules. In combination with a LIMO Beam Shaping module they produce a homogeneous line (80mm x 0.2mm, inhomogeneity <2.5%) with a very high intensity (10kW/cm ²). The laser beam can directly irradiate the object or be displayed onto the target plane via a projection lens. Thanks to intensive and uniform irradiation the L³ LIMO Line Laser System - specially developed for continuous use - is qualified for many industries: from the automotive, electronics, coating industry and the manufacturing of energy storage units to photovoltaic and display technology. The patented LIMO beam shaping guaranties a continuous 24/7 use. The laser beam and the relevant process parameters are stabilized even in the case of failure of individual laser sources. The system may be considered for: • Short-term tempering: modifying surfaces and coatings through extremely fast heating
• Selective tempering: selective heating of certain surface materials
• Rapid thermal annealing: annealing of crystal defects within milliseconds
• Laser-induced thermal printing (LITI)
• Rapid thermal processing: produce a new material or new material characteristics from two deposited materials
• Drying, cross-linking of paints and polymers
• Integration within in-line and scan or repeat processes possible The system’s 24/7 continuous operation with high process stability speaks for itself. Additionally, the user can replace individual laser modules without readjustment of the optical components. Moreover, with the failure of one laser module the homogeneity of the line is preserved. The manually or remotely controlled system can be easily integrated within existing production environments due to standardized interfaces. The system is a very good example for manufacturers of "flat panel displays" that - thanks to the targeted inline laser annealing – makes a variety of chemical processes superfluous and so simplifies production significantly. The Applications Center of LIMO gladly develops other processes and applications together with interested companies. Learn more about the L³ LIMO Line Laser systems by visiting LIMO at LASER World of PHOTONICS, Munich, Germany, May 13-16, 2013 – Hall B1/Booth #315.

LIMO blue laser

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:56:00 +0100

Thanks to its revolutionary blue laser, LIMO is beaming with pride What do flat screens, metrology and lithography products have in common? An increasing number of these products share an efficient blue single laser diode as a key feature.The electronics and other industries use these single emitter laser diodes for their higher output of up to 1 – 2 W each. That’s where the world market leader in the field of refractive micro optics comes into play: The Dortmund-based LIMO Lissotschenko Mikrooptik GmbH, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, is highly experienced in producing single emitter micro-optics for so-called near infrared (NIR) emission. LIMO uses this extensive experience and expertise to develop custom micro-optics that precisely focus the new blue and other powerful single laser diodes beam to a size of 40 x 40 µm². These optics can be used with flexibility because the laser diodes are available with or without a housing. Laser manufacturers can use the micro-optics applications including pumping solid-state crystals and for fiber coupling.When it comes to energy-efficient pumping of solid-state crystals, the blue laser diodes have been proved successful: As an example, they were successfully deployed in the “Integrated Green Efficient Laser” (IGEL) project – funded by the BMBF with 3.5 Mio. Euro – where a blue diode laser is used as the actual source of light. The wavelength is being converted upwards within the crystal to produce a green laser beam. Dr. Oliver Homburg, Director for Advanced Optical Solutions, mentions a strong economic benefit, “They are a cost-efficient solution because only one micro-optic is needed to focus the blue laser beam.”Learn more about the new precise and cost-efficient micro-optics for the blue lasers by visiting us at the Photonics West fair (SPIE), San Francisco, between February 5th to 7th in 2013 – South Hall, Stand 816. For more information please contact Dr. Oliver Homburg, o.homburg@limo.de.

LIMO:

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:23:00 +0100

High power diode laser line generator checks solar cells

When a boss tries to bring his employees “in line”, he wants them to share a single strategy. Instead of people, LIMO has arranged a high power laser diode in line when creating its new line generator. Compared to point-like editing, this technology benefits from an increased throughput and better quality.

"Anybody trying to impress industry insiders with something new, should better have something really interesting in store", said Dr. Oliver Homburg, Director of Advanced Optical Solutions at LIMO, referring to the international optical industry fair Photonics West (SPIE). Next February, LIMO will present its new line generators in California.

"We bring those high power laser diodes in line by using lenses and so-called homogenizers", explains Dr. Homburg. "This parallel processing allows to laser an area more quickly than with deploying a point-like spot working on an area via scanner and mirror". LIMO has opted for a modular system which allows the Dortmund based company to customize solutions for many different applications using standard components – with different line geometry, wavelengths and performance classes. "Thanks to this scalable concept, generators can be tailored for all lengths and outputs", says the optics expert. "Also, thanks to our expertise in laser optics, our generators benefit from a very high homogeneity and efficiency."

This new generation of generators supports processing, organizing and refining surfaces. There are already line lasers with short lines (450 watts, 12 times 0.1 square millimeter) serving as inexpensive standard solutions in the thermal processing of silicon, for example. The generators structuring AMOLED (active matrix organic light emitting diode) displays with 80 mm long lines supply several kilowatts of power.

This technology is designed to add to the changing energy policy: A line laser (40 watts of power, 808 nanometer wavelength and 165 millimeter line length) is able to scrutinize solar cells using the so-called photoluminescence spectroscopy. Dr. Homburg: "Our newcomers have proven themselves suitable for areas with very high demands on laser technology."

Photonics West (SPIE), San Francisco, February 5 – 7, 2013, South Hall/Booth 816, (Also BIOS Conference and Exhibition: South Hall A/Booth 8100, February 2 – 3, 2013)