Towards 2020 – Photonics driving economic growth in Europe

2. Photonics Research and Innovation Challenges
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Major photonics research and innovation
challenges
Europe has a world-leading position in the market
of photonics for industrial production, with the
world’s largest laser companies and manufacturers
of key laser components located in this region.
Europe’s laser technology leads in terms of innovation
and optical excellence when compared to
other regions. To ensure that this competitive edge
is maintained, the principal research and engineering
efforts have to focus on more efficient
lasers (more light output for a given energy input),
longer-lasting components that can be recycled,
and maintenance-free manufacturing equipment.
The markets for new processing strategies and
new photon transmission systems must also be
addressed. The most challenging problem in laser
source manufacturing is price pressure, a result of
the increasing cost competition exerted mainly by
Asian manufacturers.
The primary research areas to be addressed will
need to cover all stages of the manufacturing
process, from basic research and development
through to the products themselves and their
market penetration.
for microelectronics, photovoltaics, flat-panel
displays, laser cleaning, surface hardening,
and bonding of transparent materials)
To achieve this goal, advances are necessary in both
the underlying laser technology itself and the processes
though which they are deployed. In terms of
these laser sources and optical components, the focus
has to be set on reliable, reproducible and precise
methods for automated assembly of photonic
devices and lasers, with improved performance in
terms of power, beam properties, efficiency and
size, as well as better spatial & temporal control
and stability - and all at lower cost. A further key
requirement will be the incorporation of adaptive
reconfigurable beam delivery networks, capable
of high power and intensity. New applications are
expected, for example through the use of ultrashort
laser pulses. However, to take full advantage
of such new laser sources, new high-speed beam
deflection technology also needs to be developed
in parallel. These improvements will be crucial for
extending laser technology to large market sectors,
such as electronic industries or mass customisation
of consumer goods.
Europe’s laser technology
leads the world in terms
of innovation and optical
excellence.
Principal research and
engineering efforts must
focus on more efficient
lasers, longer-lasting
recyclable components,
and maintenance-free
manufacturing equipment.
Lasers enhance manufacturing
processes. © Fotolia
The goal is to extend laser processing capabilities
significantly beyond their current position, and
thus allow many new and challenging processing
applications to be addressed. For example:
n processing of composites and dissimilar
materials
n basic research on material processing
and applications (e.g. composites)
n additive manufacturing (e.g. ‘product
printing machines’ based on the selective
laser melting [SLM] process)
n mass production of individual items
n colour marking
n fabrication and laser treatment of functional
surfaces and advanced materials (biocompatible
functional implants, nanoparticles, fibres