The Long Journey from Idea to Industrial Success

摘要

It is astonishing how long it can take from the first idea to the industrial success of a laser technology product. Three laser technologies in which TRUMPF participated will be investigated from conception to realization. The first case study focuses on the diffusion cooled coaxial CO_2 laser geometry with diffraction limited resonators. The second case study highlights some of the stages along the very successful route to implementation of the thin disk laser; from the conception at the IFSW~1 and the ITP~2, both in Stuttgart, to the successful industrial installations in automotive applications. Finally the development of high power diodes for diode pumped solid state lasers is also discussed.