Lasers and Light Sources: UV Lasers

ark Gitin and Terry Hannon, Coherent Inc.

One application trend vital to the future of UV laser makers has been the miniaturization of electronic devices brought on by an explosive demand for communications and information technology. As demand increases for portable gadgets such as palm-top computers, personal organizers, cell phones and pagers, circuit designers are dreaming up ways to squeeze more electronics into less space on a mass-produced scale.
In the coming years, the laser marketplace will see significant gains for three relative newcomers in the industrial laser gallery: High-power semiconductor lasers, diode-pumped solid-state lasers and ultrafast lasers will all make inroads in industrial infrared and visible laser applications.
UV lasers are uniquely suited for fabricating the microscopic features in high-density circuits because the shorter-wavelength light focuses into a smaller spot.