'Multi-million dollar' order for Powerlase DPSS lasers

24 May 2006

Korean technology giant LG Electronics has placed a multi-million dollar order with Powerlase for DPSS lasers intended for LG's Korean display-making plants.

Powerlase, the UK based manufacturer of high power DPSS lasers, today announced that it has received a "multi-million dollar" order from LG Electronics.

The order is for an undisclosed quantity of Powerlase's latest AO8 lasers, which are suited to the manufacture of plasma display panels and liquid crystal displays.

The A08 laser is an extension of the established AO series - the AO2 delivers 200 W, the AO4, 400 W and the AO6, 600 W - all intended for materials processing.

These lasers are said to have the highest power in their class and allow rapid materials processing or, in some cases, can replace some industrial processes. The lasers can be set for either attenuator or fiber delivery.

Powerlase has reported rocketing growth during the past year, and has emerged as a leading supplier of high power (200-800 W) pulsed DPSS lasers. "This order confirms that our technology provides the performance enhancements that manufacturers are seeking," said Tony King, Powerlase's executive director and COO.

"LG Electronics will be the first customer to utilize our A08 high power laser specifically for PDP manufacturing. The order shows that our technology provides the performance manufacturers are seeking in the FPD market. Our intention is to continue to improve the cost of ownership and technical performance of high power DPSS lasers."

LG Electronics, which operates in 39 countries, is a major supplier of PDPs and LCDs. The company said the acquisition is part of its plan to become a "top three" electronics, telecommunications and information player by 2010.

"We bought the lasers for use in flat panel display and LCD manufacturing," said an LG spokesman. "These additional lasers will enable us to increase our production capacity cost-effectively in response to market demand."