Coherent, a laser-based solutions provider, and Holst Centre have announced their cooperation in the field of flexible electronics. The Holst Centre is an initiative of IMEC of Belgium, a micro- and nanoelectronics research center, and TNO, the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research. Coherent’s picosecond laser source will be integrated into the Holst Center electronic foils processing equipment. Selective removal and deposition of thin layers is an important research challenge for future flexible-electronics applications such as organic photovoltaics or for lighting and signage based on organic LEDs. Organic photovoltaics and organic LED devices are composed of multilayer stacks that are often less than 100 nm thick. The smallest amount of debris can therefore generate defects resulting in nonfunctioning devices. Laser structuring of organic electronic circuitry is shown. In this case, it will be used for research on smart pharmaceutical blister packages. The cooperation between Holst Centre and Coherent encompasses the installation of a short-pulse (picosecond) laser source in the electronic foils processing equipment to be used for high-precision and low-defect laser ablation in sheet-to-sheet production of organic LED and organic photovoltaic devices. The potential of the laser to comply with short processing times allows the transition toward roll-to-roll at a later stage in the collaboration, which is important for low-cost production. Coherent intends to take the results of the application and use it to expand its knowledge in flexible electronics manufacturing. Holst Centre has a considerable amount of expertise in integration technologies for applications in flexible foils. Investments in state-of-the art equipment support the Holst Centre’s ambition of becoming a leading player in this field. According to Holst, the current cooperation with Coherent is another step forward in the growth of the program and will allow Holst Centre to make significant progress in laser-based technologies. For more information, visit: www.coherent.com