Executive Forum

2022 Innovators Awards: Meet the winners

Aug. 18, 2022

Record number of entries yields astonishing class of honorees for LFW's 2022 Innovators Awards.

Silver: Photonics Industries International, Inc.

Photonics Industries’ FS Series femtosecond lasers offer the market the smallest, most compact, all-in-one package coupled with high average powers (up to 100 W IR, 55 W GRN, 30 W UV). In the ultrafast regime, the smaller fs pulse widths (~400 fs) expand applications still limited by ps or sub-ps pulse widths. The fs advantage spans from OLED processing (cutting, repair, etc.), to no-HAZ laser micromachining, and to nano/micro-structuring. Burgeoning research utilizing an industrial-type fs laser has also expanded the realm of many scientific applications. Low, and variable fs pulse widths: < 350 fs to 20 ps specifiable range High average powers: Up to 100 W IR Wide range of wavelengths: 1030 nm, 515 nm, 343 nm. 257 nm option on request. Smallest, most compact, all-in-one (AIO) femtosecond laser on the market: 1/3 to 1/2 the volumetric size of leading competitors; No separate laser controller unit or utility module needed. Pulse repetition rate range: Single shot to 2 MHz, option up to 40 MHz TEM00 beam

Slide 33 of 43

In all my years covering technology, it has always been the thirst for innovation that has driven my desire to learn more about how various technologies work—and how they provide new value. This year as we embarked on the annual Laser Focus World Innovators Awards process, it was encouraging to see so many companies submit entries. So many amazing innovations across a growing and ever-evolving space.

In selecting honorees, we employed a blind judging process where multiple judges evaluated each submission without knowing how the other judge scored the entry. This approached allowed us to even out any potential biases by created average scores for each innovation. Even with the diversity amongst the judges, it was surprising to see how many scores were consistent across the board.

Be sure to run through the slide show and see all the winners. It was a lot of fun going through the process.

About the Author

Peter Fretty | Market Leader, Digital Infrastructure

Peter Fretty began his role as the Market Leader, Digital Infrastructure in September 2024. He also serves as Group Editorial Director for Laser Focus World and Vision Systems Design, and previously served as Editor in Chief of Laser Focus World from October 2021 to June 2023. Prior to that, he was Technology Editor for IndustryWeek for two years.

As a highly experienced journalist, he has regularly covered advances in manufacturing, information technology, and software. He has written thousands of feature articles, cover stories, and white papers for an assortment of trade journals, business publications, and consumer magazines.