Powerlase announces FPD alliance

, manufacturers of nanosecond Q-switched, diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) lasers, have announced a collaborative research partnership with

. The research will focus on the field of thin film patterning for flat panel display (FPD) manufacture.

Today's announcement follows a period of increasingly close ties, in which Osaka University’s Centre for Advanced Science and Innovation (CASI) and Crawley-based Powerlase have shared technical resources to further their FPD research and to develop their individual intellectual property.

‘CASI of Osaka University is at the forefront of research in advanced manufacturing techniques for next generation FPDs,’ said Matt Henry, head of applications engineering at Powerlase. ‘Their reputation in this field is second to none. By collaborating with Powerlase, the world leader in laser solutions for plasma display panel (PDP) manufacturing, an innovative partnership is created that will support the needs of the FPD industry both now and in the future.’

Professor Ryohei Satoh, Centre for Advanced Science & Innovation,

, added: ‘Powerlase is an excellent developer and supplier of high power, high performance DPSS laser systems. They make world leading laser systems for direct thin film patterning of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) for FPD manufacture. I look forward to our partnership achieving an optimum laser system capable of delivering low damage to the environment and a high cost performance manufacturing.’