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Date Announced: 26 Mar 2014
IMRA America, Inc., (IMRA) world leader in the research, development, manufacturing and application of ultrafast fiber lasers and JENOPTIK Laser GmbH (Jena, Germany) a company of Jenoptik’s Lasers & Material Processing division, announce that they have entered into a license agreement for the use of IMRA patent rights for the patent family including U.S. patents RE37,585 and 5,656,186, “Method for controlling configuration of laser induced breakdown and ablation.” The agreement is specifically designed to enable Jenoptik ultra-fast customers utilize the patent family to create advanced micro-machined products.
This patent family was invented by Gerard Mourou and his team while at the University of Michigan and is licensed to IMRA from the University of Michigan. The invention is fundamental in taking advantage of ultrafast lasers for micromachining. The inventors recognized that ultrashort pulses are shorter than the time needed for most energy transfer processes within the material. Therefore deterministic, ultra-precise material processing could be realized. This method is sometimes referred to as 'cold' or ‘athermal’ machining.
Mr. Takashi Omitsu, President of IMRA, commenting on the agreement, said: “We are particularly gratified that Jenoptik has joined many other large laser companies that recognize the importance of intellectual property and particularly the strength of the “Mourou patent”. This patent has enabled ultrafast lasers to be used in an entirely new class of micromachining that has created new state-of-the-art products such as medical stents, electronic displays and fuel injection nozzles. This intellectual property is valuable to the laser community and such is best shared, with appropriate business agreements between companies. We are delighted to follow this criterion to the benefit of the original inventors, their institution and the rightful users of the invention.”
Dr. Thomas Fehn, Executive Vice President of Jenoptik’s Lasers & Material Processing division, commented: “Jenoptik really appreciates the possibility to move aggressively into the area of ultrafast laser processing secured for our customers by this agreement. This matches well with the strategic road map of Jenoptik. The strategic partnership we have had with IMRA for a number of years adds value to our Lasers & Material Processing division.”
E-mail: nadine.kestner@jenoptik.com
Web Site: www.jenoptik.com/lm
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