Significant market opportunities exist for new low cost laser technologies in many areas of materials processing, particularly in "micromachining" applications in the fabrication of medical and semiconductor devices and integrated circuit packages, and rapid prototyping, where lasers are currently used to generate net shape prototypes through a variety of processes. High power surface emitting diode lasers offer the potential for compact, reasonably priced, efficient, and high brightness laser sources, ideal candidates for these applications. The primary goal of this work is the development and commercialization of high power surface emitting diode laser technologies into commercial production. A parallel effort will focus on the development of OEM diode laser modules which are suited to the broadest possible spectrum of end user applications.
Keywords: Rapid Prototyping Micro-Machining High Brightness Diode Lasers
