Best Laser Choice Not Always Clear

Rodd M. Pedrotti, Editor, rodd.pedrotti@photonics.com

By the time you’re reading this issue of Industrial Photonics, you have less than a month to gear up for this year’s China International Optoelectronic Conference (CIOEC), which is running Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 in Shenzhen, China.

In concert with the China International Optoelectronic Exposition, CIOEC will be offering several photonics-based forums and summit conferences that directly relate to the industrial sector. The Optical Communication Technology and Development Forum and the 2nd International Forum on Modern Optical Manufacturing Engineering and Sciences are two of the events that you’ll likely find of interest.

In this issue’s cover feature, our contributing editor Hank Hogan examines why picking a laser for any specific application isn’t always a clear-cut decision. Aside from taking into account the composition of the material to be processed, many other factors arise when choosing a laser – and sometimes a perfect selection simply doesn’t exist. Hogan presents useful, focused information on how to select the best tool for the job. “Picking a Laser for Success” begins on page 1.

Also in this issue:

• “Vision Systems – Accelerating the Art of the Design,” by Nate Holmes, National Instruments, beginning on page 13;

• “ArF Immersion Lithography Supports High-Volume 14-nm Chip Manufacturing,” by Ted Cacouris, Cymer LLC, beginning on page 16; and,

• “WITS$ – A Rough Guide to Selecting a Photodetector,” by Earl Hergert and Slawomir Piatek, Hamamatsu Corporation, on page 19.

If you would like to write an article for Industrial Photonics, please send a 100-word abstract to me at rodd.pedrotti@photonics.com. I’m always looking for articles that will help our readers do their jobs.

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Please enjoy the issue.