In addition to building a platform for cooperation and knowledge sharing, the COC contributes to improving the competitiveness and reputation of Czech companies and scientific institutions not only on a domestic scale but also internationally. Thanks to the COC, interesting business opportunities and new strategic directions are opening up. In general, COC activities lead to the necessary improvement of conditions for the development of the optical industry in the Czech Republic.

“The HiLASE Centre is a key member of the Czech Optical Cluster (COC), and this collaboration is fundamental for the development of HiLASE in the upcoming decade,” says Head of the HiLASE Centre, Tomáš Mocek. 

He further adds: “HiLASE joined the COC with the main goals of supporting the development of laser technologies, aiding in their industrial use, and collaborating with other members of the cluster on innovations and new application development. This collaboration opens new business opportunities and enables the sharing of knowledge, which is of benefit to the whole sector.”

This June, one of the world’s largest and most important trade fairs for optical technology and lasers, Laser World of Photonics, took place in Munich. The COC, HiLASE Centre (FZU AV ČR), the Institute of Photonics and Electronics (CAS), and the Institute of Scientific Instruments (CAS) presented their portfolio of products and services at a joint booth.

Innovative solutions

The HiLASE Centre introduced SHUTTERLASE 1100 at the trade fair, a unique safety device developed for the protection of personnel from dangerous laser radiation. SHUTTERLASE 1100 has been developed with ease of use and fast integration into an interlock system in mind.

Presentation, competition and networking

Martina Řeháková (BDM HiLASE) shared her vision of the expected trends for laser technologies and applications with the participants of the “Laser Challenge and Cooperation” workshop. During her presentation, she also introduced five new application areas of the HiLASE Centre:

1. Advanced laser processing and manufacturing technologies

2. Space-borne laser technologies

3. Smart & Safe Solutions for laser systems and applications

4. Laser nanotechnology

5. Laser technologies for compact particle and radiation sources

The announcement of LIDT Challenge results during the workshop is becoming a tradition. The challenge is focused on the topic of Laser-Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT). This year, laser windows with anti-reflective coatings were tested. Of all the anonymised samples tested in the ISO-certified LIDT laboratory, the sample by EKSMA Optics with the value of 0,6 J/cm2 performed the best. 

The COC joint booth was busy every day of the fair. It was typical trade fair networking - meetings, making new contacts, strengthening existing relationships, getting feedback, etc.

The future

The optical industry, as well as laser technology, is known for its constant drive for greater precision, speed, and efficiency. Innovation plays a vital role in achieving these goals, and it is the collaboration between different companies, research institutions and universities that enables this innovation to accelerate.

“In addition, the joint activities within the cluster enable HiLASE to implement an ambitious vision and mission, where we focus on further pushing the boundaries of laser technology and finding new applications. These applications include not only the use of lasers in space but also laser technologies for chip manufacturing, biotechnology applications, and machine learning applications for controlling and optimising the laser machining processes,” adds Tomáš Mocek.

Collaboration in the field of optics, whether on a local or global level, is key to achieving innovation. The Czech Optical Cluster currently has 39 members and holds the bronze Cluster Management Excellence label.

Contact: Marie Thunova, marie.thunova@hilase.cz, Institute of Physics of the CAS - HiLASE Laser Centre