Ditzingen, Germany – Professor Berthold Leibinger, Chairman of the TRUMPF Group Supervisory Boards, has been recognized by the Laser Institute of America (LIA) with the Arthur L. Schawlow Award, one of the most eminent decorations in the field of laser research.
The LIA emphasized both Leibinger’s contributions to the advancement of the TRUMPF Group, making it a global leader in the manufacture of industrial lasers and laser systems, and his activities in conjunction with the Berthold Leibinger Foundation.
“Professor Berthold Leibinger built TRUMPF into a premier worldwide manufacturing company. He was instrumental in adding industrial lasers to the product lines, making TRUMPF a leading company in this field,” noted Stephan Capp, president of the Laser Institute of America, during the award ceremonies.
Under Leibinger’s leadership TRUMPF became an innovations and technology leader in the field of industrial laser technology. Lasers built by TRUMPF are used today in manufacturing in every high-tech industry, the automotive industry, microelectronics, photovoltaics, and medical technology.
Leibinger accepted the award on October 26, 2011, in Orlando, Florida. “The laser is a tool that makes possible new solutions in fields vital for the future – such as modern mobility or a dependable energy supply,” according to Leibinger. “I see this award as distinction for all of those of us at TRUMPF who have vigorously promoted broad-based use of laser technology.”
The Arthur L. Schawlow Award, comprised of a medal, a certificate and a cash prize has been presented annually since 1982. This award recognizes a lifetime’s achievements in either basic or applied research for lasers, contributing to essential understanding of the interaction between light and material. The award is named after Professor Arthur L. Schawlow, who in 1981 received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his contribution to the development of laser spectroscopy. The awardees are also granted lifetime membership in the Laser Institute of America.