December 5, 2006, Balzers, Liechtenstein--OC Oerlikon Corporation Ltd. acquired the laser technology, staff, and equipment of Exitech Ltd. (Oxford, England), a worldwide provider of nano and micro laser systems. Oerlikon's Optics, Solar, and Wafer Processing business units in particular stand to benefit from this acquisition. Exitech will be integrated in the Oerlikon Optics business unit.
Lasers play a key role in the production of minute surface structures measuring a few billionths of a meter (nanometers). This technology is highly significant for Oerlikon. In the production of thin-film solar modules, for instance, the coated glass surface is divided into solar cells by what is known as laser scribing. Thanks to the cutting properties of lasers, the solar cells are formed into functioning modules without having to be specially assembled. So far, Oerlikon has had to purchase external technology for this important process. "With Exitech's expertise, which we will now integrate in Oerlikon, we will be able to control the full value adding process in the solar segment," says Oerlikon CEO Thomas Limberger.
The acquisition of Exitech's laser technology opens up valuable know-how for other Oerlikon business units, too, in fields such as the manufacturing and structuring of color filters and optic sensors or the production of semiconductors.
Oerlikon Optics is headquartered in the Principality of Liechtenstein also with operating facilities in Golden, CO and Shanghai, China. Oerlikon Optics is a business unit of the Oerlikon Group of companies headquartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland. Oerlikon worldwide employs around 6,400 individuals.
For more information, visit www.oerlikon.com/optics.