ESI Acquires Fiber Laser Maker Eolite

Electro Scientific Industries Inc. (ESI), a supplier of laser-based manufacturing products for the microtechnology industry, has acquired pulsed fiber laser maker Eolite Systems of Pessac, France, for $10 million in cash, the company announced Tuesday.

ESI makes a line of micromachining systems for industries including semiconductors, flat panel displays and photovoltaics, and some of these systems are powered by fiber lasers. (See: Adding Fiber Pays Off for Industry) The acquisition gives ESI direct access to differentiated, higher-power fiber laser technology used in microfabrication applications and gives it the ability to customize lasers to specific applications, the company said. Eolite's fiber lasers are different, ESI said, in the use of rod-type photonic crystal fiber, which generates higher power and stores more energy than flexible fibers.

“Leading-edge laser capability is key for ESI to meet the challenges in state-of-the-art materials processing. By combining the higher-power amplification capabilities of Eolite with the flexible pulse technology from our PyroPhotonics division, we strengthen our ability to provide innovative solutions to our customers,” said ESI President and CEO Nick Konidaris.

ESI intends to continue to market both the PyroPhotonics and Eolite laser products into the commercial market for solar, microelectronics and industrial applications, the company said.

For more information, visit: www.esi.com