IPG Photonics Acquires Photonics Innovations

March 1, 2010

IPG Photonics Corp., a manufacturer of fiber lasers and amplifiers based in Oxford, Mass., has purchased the outstanding shares of Photonics Innovations (PII), a maker of active and passive laser materials and tunable lasers for scientific, biomedical, technological, and eyesafe range-finding applications.

The acquisition allows IPG to expand its product offerings to the middle infrared (approximately 2 to 5 micron).

PII’s core capabilities include novel optical and laser materials fabrication, solid-state and tunable laser design, and optical and sensing systems development.

PII was established by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to apply proprietary and patented optical materials, lasers, and spectroscopic technologies to the development and commercialization of optical sensing instruments in rapid sensing, identification, and quantification of agents and materials. PII also develops middle-infrared microchip and external cavity, broadly tunable light sources for scientific, sensing, medical, and defense applications.

“With the acquisition of Photonics Innovations, we plan to enhance IPG’s product portfolio in middle-infrared spectral range – an exciting emerging market,” said Dr. Valentin Gapontsev, IPG Photonics chairman and CEO. “The combining of our state-of-the-art fiber laser technology with PII’s proprietary transition metal doped ZnS- and ZnSe-based crystal laser materials has opened exciting opportunities to build new perfect hybrid laser sources in the range 2 to 5 um for various applications. Both companies have complementary expertise and a passion for technological innovations. We look forward to integrating our similar entrepreneurial cultures and further strengthening our leadership position in fiber lasers.”

For more information, visit www.ipgphotonics.com.