NKT Photonics A/S and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF announce a strategic research alliance between both partners. Within the agreement NKT Photonics A/S licensed parts of its unique Photonic Crystal Fiber technology to the Fraunhofer IOF.
For more than a decade NKT Photonics (previously Crystal Fibre) has pioneered the field of photonic crystal fibers and today the technology forms the backbone of several high performance product areas such as supercontinuum lasers and ultrafast fiber lasers. Several major laser companies worldwide have embraced the technology and offer high-performance fiber laser products based on fibers and gain blocks from NKT Photonics.
Fraunhofer IOF Jena has been a partner and pioneer customer of NKT Photonics for many years and holds numerous fiber laser performance records using jointly developed fibers from NKT Photonics. As one of the leaders within the field, Fraunhofer IOF Jena is an ideal partner for NKT Photonics, CEO Jakob Skov explains:
"Our goal is to bring PCF technology forward in industrial commercialization and we believe that is best achieved by partnerships and collaborations. Having a strong IP position within an area comes with a certain responsibility and we want to help others to be successful using our technology. We have previously given licenses to several companies and today we take another important step with Fraunhofer IOF Jena whom we consider one of the research power houses in fiber laser technology and excellent market experience."
In 2017 the Fraunhofer IOF will open a new PCF facility with a mission of conducting application-oriented research in the field of optical systems engineering. Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann, Director of IOF Jena points out: "This strategic research alliance combines the competencies of NKT Photonics and the Fraunhofer IOF. Together we foster the development of new technologies and markets, especially in the field of production, health care, as well as security. "
NKT Photonics has also secured a significant multi-year aeroGAIN-ROD contract for an industrial laser manufacturer. NKT Photonics’ aeroGAIN-ROD fibers have long been the benchmark of high performance ytterbium gain fibers for ultrafast lasers. With their extremely large cores and diffraction limited output, they can handle peak power levels previously unheard of in fibers while keeping the pristine mode quality and flexibility that fiber lasers are known for.
Jakob Skov, CEO of NKT Photonics explains: "For several years, our flexible gain fibers have powered some of the best ultrafast lasers from the big laser manufactures on the market and with this order we again raise the performance bar for industrial ultrafast lasers. Many applications are moving towards ultrafast, and we are proud to support the most innovative laser manufactures in the industry with gain modules and fibers that enable them to offer laser solutions with class leading performance"
The aeroGAIN-ROD ytterbium gain fiber line is available both as bare fibers and as packaged gain blocks complete with thermal management and AR coated end-caps.