1. Spectra-Physics is a subsidiary of Newport, starting to do laser research from 1960s, and become a famous laser brand today. What do you think is the most im portant reason?

Spectra-Physics was the first commercial laser company in the world. Spectra-Physics is famous today because of what it has done and continues to do to transform the world through breakthrough technologies and by help its customers succeed.

2.We know that, apart from Quasar，Talon series for microprocessing, Newport is positively introducing Spirit series. Would you introduce about this series’ products?

Spectra-Physics is the number one laser supplier of ultrafast lasers in the world. Spectra-Physics’ Spirit™ series are industrial femtosecond and picosecond lasers used in 24/7 manufacturing and medical applications. Spirit lasers are manufactured in high volume and have proven high reliability with a very large installed base. Our recently introduced Spirit One™ series are compact, all-in-one industrial femtosecond and picosecond lasers with breakthrough cost-performance. We also introduced this month the Spirit HE series of high-energy industrial femtosecond lasers.

3.What are the performance and advantages of the Spirit series?

The advantages of Spirit™ lasers are proven high reliability andexceptional cost-performance (ultrashort pulse widths, high pulse energies, excellent beam quality, compact size, etc. at a compelling cost and cost of ownership), all backed by Spectra-Physics’ renowned support.

4.In the past two years, Spectra-Physics introduced many new laser sources. Would you talk about other else lasers to our readers, except for Spirit? (Excelsior，Explorer One)

Spectra-Physics offers a broad portfolio of DPSS lasers from CW to femtosecond, IR to UV, single wavelength and tunable, most compact to highest power. Spectra-Physics’ Explorer™ One™ lasers are the world’s most compact actively Q-switched UV and green lasers. They are manufactured using an automated pick-and-place process for high volumes and high reliability and are used in demanding manufacturing applications including UV marking and micromachining. Our VGEN-QS Q-switched and VGEN-ISP MOPA pulsed fiber lasers are widely deployed in 24/7 manufacturing and deliver the highest performance (highest pulse energies, highest peak power, and best beam quality) in the market for superior micromachining quality and throughput.

5.What new products does Spectra-Physics bring to China this year and show them at Laser World of Photonics China 2016?

Spectra-Physics plans to feature laser applications in mobile device manufacturing, clean energy, 3D printing, and fine metal processing. We intend to feature our newest laser products and processes for these precision manufacturing applications. New products will include Talon™ DPSS Q-switched lasers with 30 W UV and 40 W green, Quasar™ hybrid fiber lasers with 95W green, new Spirit™ industrial femtosecond lasers with double the power and triple the pulse energy, and others.

6.The laser sources from Spectra-Physics (UV and short pulse) are mostly for microelectronics, biomedical and scientific application, and there is no macro-processing (high power cutting and welding), what is the reason for this pattern?(historically?)

Spectra-Physics is focused on and is the leading expert in lasers for precision applications. We believe this focus is important in best addressing customers’ challenging precision laser applications with the best products and expertise.

7.Spectra-Physics is the global leader in UV lasers. Why is UV laser so important? Would you explain about it from the application side?

Due to its wavelength, UV lasers allow one to achieve greater precision than infrared or green lasers. Additionally, many materials interact more efficiently with UV light, resulting in improved quality and faster processing. Finally, UV wavelengths usually result in wider process windows due to increased depth of focus and broader absorption bands.

8.There is some overlap part between UV laser and short pulse laser’s function in application, so how to make a choice from these two kinds of lasers?

UV lasers and ultrashort pulse lasers have different advantages depending on the application. Many application-specific factors including machining quality, throughput, and resolution as well as cost, cost of ownership and system design can impact the choice. Spectra-Physics offers and performs applications work with both types of lasers and can therefore support the customer regardless of the direction in many cases.

9.After acquisition of V-gen and FemtoLaser, Spectra-Physics extends more product portfolio, especially add the hit one—fiber laser. So what’s the meaning and what will it bring to Newport?

Acquisitions are another means to add to the technical capabilities of the company. With Femtolasers (now Spectra-Physics Vienna), Spectra-Physics gains the highest performance / shortest pulse widths capabilities and products to further advance our number one position in ultrafast lasers. With V-Gen, (now Spectra-Physics Tel Aviv) Spectra-Physics adds to its fiber laser capability and expands its served applications. Both complement our internal research and development efforts to further our ability to bring new transformative technologies and products to the market.

10. Spectra-Physics went through a stable year now, coming to the 2016, what’s your expectation and prediction for laser market development?

We see significant market opportunities as well as some challenges for 2016. We believe that we are well positioned in the market to capitalize on many of these opportunities while countering challenges.

(Johnny Li)