- Laser Technology in Photo-voltaics
- Fiber Lasers on the Rise
- LASER World of PHOTONICS NEWS Bridge Information Gaps

Ever since its debut in 2006, LASER WORLD OF PHOTONICS CHINA has repeatedly proved its role as the biggest laser and photonics platform for exhibition as well as communication. In 2009, over 219 exhibitors from 14 countries and districts attended the trade show, attracting more than 22,076 professional visitors. It has also gained stronger influence with each version organized. On 16 – 18 March 2010, a record-breaking 280+ exhibitors from 18 countries and districts will attend LASER World of PHOTONICS CHINA 2010 and more than 25,000 professional visitors are expected to participate.

Laser Technology in Photo-voltaics
Though the world’s attention is for the moment focused on whether the economic crisis has come to an end, the Copenhagen Climate Summit has aroused heated discussions on new energy revolution and low-carbon economy, in which solar energy is undoubtedly a focal point. In 2007, the solar power generated in China ranked the first in the world with 1.1 GW, 27.5% of the global capacity; in 2008, the growth of photo-voltaic industry in this country nearly doubled. Mr. Sun Qin, Deputy Director of National Energy Bureau, said that China is expected to finish drafting its New Energy development plan, including solar energy, by the end of this year. The New Energy industry is deemed the one thing that can relief the financial crisis at the best possible speed, a belief that in turn has triggered the rapid growth of relevant industries, including the laser industry.

Laser processing was applied and applauded since the 1960s for its speed, precision, non-contact, and fine heat effects, especially in machinery, which in return promoted the industrialization of laser processing technologies. Its advantages are exactly what photo-voltaic manufacturing demands for: one major factor that holds back solar power generation is the slack solar cell production technology and its cost. At such high costs, solar power plants in developed countries as Spain and Germany would inevitably need subsidies in order to compete with traditional power plants. The development of photo-voltaic technology will lower the costs and enable solar power plants to compete without preferential policies --- the speed and precision of laser being the agent of this development. Laser technologies are widely used in areas as silicon wafers processing, the foundation of photo-voltaic modules, or in scribing and surface processing of solar cells. It can also raise the efficiency of solar cells and lowered its production costs. The integration of laser and photo-voltaic manufacturing technologies has built a unique alliance that contributes to the marketing of photo-voltaic generated power.

At the Optics Frontier 2009 and Laser Technology in Photo-voltaic Production, two accompanying events held at the LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009 in Munich on 15 -18 June 2009, laser enterprises active in the photo-voltaic industry such as Rofin-Sinar, Coherent, Newport Spectra-Physics, SPI Laser, and TRUMPF had already presented the applications of their technology in solar cell production and solar power generation to reduce cost and increase solar cell efficiency, and was very much appreciated. One drilling technology presented was able to drill over 3,000 holes in a cell in less than 1 second. It is claimed that when applied with better laser source and optimized technique, that figure can reach 10,000. Such technology would shed new light on solar cell manufacturers as the electric contacts traditionally at the tips of the cells can be shifted to the back by these holes, a change that will result in the disappearance of electrodes and generate more power. The technology can increase the solar cells’ ability to use solar energy by 20%, 33% higher than traditional silicon cells. Such laser technologies as laser drilling, carving, cutting, thin-film solar cell scribing, and fiber lasers will receive greater attention in this context when new energy, especially solar energy, is widely accepted and appreciated.

The success in Munich prompted these companies to rush to the biggest solar energy market in the world, China. At the LASER World of PHOTONICS CHINA 2010 to be held on 16 -18 March 2010, Rofin-Sinar, Coherent, Newport Spectra-Physics, SPI Laser, TRUMPF, and EOTECHNICS will again present their latest products and technologies applied in photo-voltaics. On the other hand, domestic players as Han’s Laser, HGLASER, CHUTIAN, and Sangong Laser will stand up to it with their own scribing, side-sweeping and other related machines. The organizers will send out brochures featuring product and technology information to photo-voltaic enterprises and visitors on site to help find and understand the latest laser technology and products applied in solar energy with least effort.

Fiber Lasers on the Rise
In the growing laser material processing market, fiber laser took around a 7% share in 2008, a small one compared to CO2 lasers and solid state lasers (which took up 72% combined). Surely it is only natural for a new technology just introduced to the market. In 2009, fiber lasers will continue to fetch more market shares in thin metal sheets processing. The European Photonics Industry Association predicted that in 2009 the total revenue made by fiber lasers would reach 180 million Euros (233 million USD).

Fiber lasers is going to have great and positive impact on the traditional laser industry for its ideal beam quality, ultra-high conversion rate, maintenance-free, high stability and small size. A latest market survey showed that fiber laser suppliers will compete for key market shares previously dominated by traditional lasers, and is supposed to win the battle in the few years ahead. By 2010, fiber lasers will take up at least a quarter of the 280 million USD industrial laser market. The market of fiber lasers is expected to grow by 35% annually, from 140 million USD in 2005 to 680 million in 2010. On the contrary, industrial laser market has grown only 9% each year and will reach 280 million in 2010.

Fiber laser was the highlight at LASER World of PHOTONICS CHINA 2009: IPG introduced its Staubli Robot-driven Yb fiber laser system; SPI came up with a PulseTune-equipped 10W-20W G3 fiber laser and 30W HM G3 laser markers; and GSI released the JK series fiber lasers --- all of great interest to the visitors. Wuhan Raycus Laser, a Chinese fiber laser manufacturer, also attracted great interest at the trade show last year with its 10W/100W pulsed and continuous fiber lasers. This year, fiber lasers will continue to be under the spotlight. In contrast to the few products last year, SPI, TRUMPF, IPG, GSI, Rofin, Coherent, Dilas, Staubli and others will present an array of fiber lasers and robots.

IPG, a globally leading fiber laser producer, only recently made a world record in high-quality, high-speed thick-plate welding at its German research center. By using IPG's 20-kW continuous wave 1070-nm commercial fiber laser, it successfully welded a 1-in. 304 stainless steel at a speed of 0.85 m/min using a 200-micron fiber cable with a 420-micron focus spot size. When welding 0.75-in. stainless steel, the speed can reach 2m/min. This success signals that IPG fiber laser is able to weld 2-in. 304 stainless steel plates. IPG will present its entire line of fiber laser products at LASER WORLD OF PHOTONICS CHINA 2010.

What Wuhan Raycus will bring us this year is also worth noting. As a dark horse in the fiber laser industry, it has always received great attention. According to Dr. Yan, the General Manager of Raycus, it is dedicated to the development and manufacturing of heavy duty fiber lasers. The company has a profound understanding of semiconductor lasers and fibers, and owns unique manufacturing techniques that has brought about the first mass-production of heavy duty fiber lasers in China, a success that won the company financial support from the national government.

LASER World of PHOTONICS NEWS Bridge Information Gaps
LASER World of PHOTONICS NEWS is a magazine compiled by the LASER WORLD OF PHOTONICS CHINA project group and contains industry information, products review, events notices and other information. It is published quarterly in 30,000 copies per issue to bridge the exhibitors, visitors and organizers. It is delivered to former visitors and exhibitors of LASER WORLD OF PHOTONICS CHINA as well as LASER MUNICH. The latest issue will come out in Jan. 2010 with contents on trade show news, accompanying events, exhibitor profiles, and industry news. The next issue will be published in March during the trade show to cover exhibitor list, exhibition sectors, events agenda, and enterprise interviews to bring news on electronics, semiconductors, photo-voltaics, displays, scientific research, and industrial applications. The magazine is also a perfect guide for the visitors. You can download or read the electronic version at www.laserchina.net.