IMRA America and Jenoptik Announce License Agreement
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IMRA America, Inc., (IMRA) world leader in the research, development, manufacturing and application of ultrafast fiber lasers and JENOPTIK Laser GmbH (Jena, Germany) a company of Jenoptik’s Lasers Material Processing division, announce that they have entered into a license agreement for the use of IMRA patent rights for the patent family including U.S. patents RE37,585 and 5,656,186, “Method for controlling configuration of laser induced breakdown and ablation.” The agreement is specifically designed to enable Jenoptik ultra-fast customers utilize the patent family to create advanced micro-machined products.
This patent family was invented by Gerard Mourou and his team while at the University of Michigan and is licensed to IMRA from the University of Michigan. The invention is fundamental in taking advantage of ultrafast lasers for micromachining. The inventors recognized that ultrashort pulses are shorter than the time needed for most energy transfer processes within the material. Therefore deterministic, ultra-precise material processing could be realized. This method is sometimes referred to as 'cold' or ‘athermal’ machining.
Mr. Takashi Omitsu, President of IMRA, commenting on the agreement, said: “We are particularly gratified that Jenoptik has joined many other large laser companies that recognize the importance of intellectual property and particularly the strength of the “Mourou patent”. This patent has enabled ultrafast lasers to be used in an entirely new class of micromachining that has created new state-of-the-art products such as medical stents, electronic displays and fuel injection nozzles. This intellectual property is valuable to the laser community and such is best shared, with appropriate business agreements between companies. We are delighted to follow this criterion to the benefit of the original inventors, their institution and the rightful users of the invention.”
Dr. Thomas Fehn, Executive Vice President of Jenoptik’s Lasers & Material Processing division, commented: “Jenoptik really appreciates the possibility to move aggressively into the area of ultrafast laser processing secured for our customers by this agreement. This matches well with the strategic road map of Jenoptik. The strategic partnership we have had with IMRA for a number of years adds value to our Lasers & Material Processing division.”
Jena, March 26, 2014
About Lasers & Material Processing division of Jenoptik
With its Lasers & Material Processing division, Jenoptik is one of the leading providers of laser technology and provides products and solutions along the entire value-added chain of laser material processing – from components up to complete laser systems. In the Lasers business unit, the company has specialized in high-quality semiconductor lasers, reliable diode lasers as modules or systems as well as innovative solid-state lasers such as disk and fiber lasers. This product portfolio makes Jenoptik the ideal partner for the entire pulse width range, from cw to fs. In the field of high-power diode lasers, the company is acknowledged as a worldwide quality leader. In the Laser Processing Systems business unit, Jenoptik develops and manufactures laser machines which are integrated into its customers’ production lines as a part of their process optimization and automation. They serve for the processing of plastics, metals and glass in connection with the processing of thin films. Jenoptik laser systems ensure processing at maximum efficiency, precision and safety. In addition, customers can try out various laser sources and machines at the Application Centers, thus finding the optimal solution for their application. The product portfolio is rounded off with energy-efficient and environmentally friendly exhaust cleaning systems for residue-free removal of pollutants during laser processing and other industrial processes.
