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IPG Innovation

IPG Innovation

Applying Light to Transform the World

IPG Photonics is the inventor and world's leading producer of high-power fiber lasers and laser solutions. From individual laser components to beam delivery and from custom tooling to full laser processing lines, IPG innovation has has helped transform thousands of applications across industrial materials processing, medical operations, and scientific endeavors.

IPG continues to pioneer technological breakthroughs that lead and define the laser industry. We are driven by an unwavering dedication to innovation and are always striving to empower global manufaturers and institutions with laser technologies that improve the world around us and make more possible.

Valentin Gapontsev, fiber laser pioneer and founder of IPG Photonics.

From Invention to Innovation

In 1990, lifelong laser pioneer Dr. Valentin Gapontsev proposed the world's first high-power fiber laser design which used laser diodes to pump along the length of a doped optical fiber. Shortly after, Dr. Gapontsev developed the first five watt fiber laser and founded IPG Photonics. 

Today, IPG has developed lasers with powers in excess of 100 kilowatts and offers the widest range of laser capabilities available. With a dedication to total control over product quality, we design and manufacture all key laser components to ensure IPG laser technology never compromises on performance.

IPG innovation continues to push the industry forward, offering fiber laser solutions with the reliability, energy efficiency, and capabilities necessary to support the most advanced applications around the world.

30+ Years of Continuous Invention & Innovation

  • 1990

    Dr. Valentin Gapontsev is the first to propose a high-power fiber laser solution at OSA Conference

  • 1991

    First 2 W single-mode fiber laser

  • 1993

    First single-mode pumping solution powered by multi-mode diodes and a 200-500 mW erbium-doped fiber amplifier

  • 1996

    First 10 W single-mode fiber laser and nanosecond pulsed ytterbium fiber laser

  • 2000

    First 100 W single-mode fiber laser

  • 2001

    First erbium doped fiber laser for medical applications

  • 2002

    First single-emitter diode pumping and 1 kW, 2 kW, and 3 kW ytterbium fiber lasers

  • 2003

    First multi-chip on sub mount diode packages

  • 2004

    First 1 kW single-mode and 10 kW multi-mode fiber lasers

  • 2005

    First 2 kW single-mode and 20 kW multi-mode fiber lasers

  • 2006

    First 3 kW single-mode fiber laser

  • 2008

    First 5 kW single-mode fiber laser and 50 kW multi-mode fiber laser

  • 2009

    First high-brightness 100 W fiber-coupled laser diode and 10 kW single-mode fiber laser

  • 2010

    First quasi-continuous wave lasers with 1.5 kW single-mode beam quality

  • 2013

    First 100 kW multi-mode fiber laser

  • 2014

    First kilowatt class fiber lasers with energy efficiency >45%

  • 2017

    First 120 kW multi-mode fiber laser

  • 2018

    Introduction of quasi-continuous wave lasers and Adjustable Mode Beam (AMB) lasers

  • 2019

    Introduction of ultra-compact high-power fiber lasers

  • 2020

    Introduction of LightWELD handheld laser welding system

  • 2021

    Introduction of LightWELD XC handheld laser welding & cleaning system

  • 2022

    Introduction of DLS-ECO high-efficiency diode lasers and wide area optics for sustainable laser heating and drying

  • 2023

    First 3 kW single-mode dual-beam fiber laser for maximum productivity in e-mobility and battery welding applications

Innovation Powered by Optimization

The world's most efficient and reliable lasers require the highest performance building blocks. From crystal growth to diode production and from high-efficiency power supplies to innovative pumping architectures, every IPG laser is powered by the highest performance components manufactured and rigorously tested at IPG facilities.

The same commitment to quality and innovative capabilities extends to every IPG laser solution including beam delivery, real-time process monitoring, and laser systems from handheld to fully automated production lines.

IPG Innovation Drives Sustainability

The evolution of laser sources is similar to the evolution of lighting sources. Compared to all other lasers, including alternative fiber lasers, IPG fiber lasers offer the highest energy efficiency. Renowned for producing the most energy-efficient lasers globally, we empower our customers to reduce costs while contributing to energy savings and reductions in CO2 emissions. Manufacturers continue to choose IPG fiber lasers to maximize their productivity, minimize their bottom line, and replace inefficient alternative technologies with truly sustainable laser solutions.

Nd:YAG Lasers are only 2% efficient.

Nd:YAG Lasers

2% Efficient

 

The efficiency of lamp-pumped Nd:YAG lasers is approximately 2%, comparable to a traditional filament bulb. The remaining 98% of input energy is lost as heat. Excess electricity is needed to obtain the targeted optical output and considerable power must be dedicated to the dissipation of an enormous amount of waste heat.

Energy efficiency for CO2 lasers is around 7 to 8%.

CO2 Lasers

7 to 8% Efficient

 

Although gas CO2 lasers are 3 to 5 times more efficient than lamp-pumped Nd:YAG lasers, over 90% of the input energy is lost as heat. This efficiency is similar to that of a fluorescent lamp. Significant additional energy is required to achieve desired laser optical power and to power chillers to dissipate heat loss.

IPG fiber lasers boast energy efficiencies ranging from 40 to 57%.

IPG Fiber Lasers

40 to 57% Efficient

 

IPG fiber laser efficiencies are comparable to modern diode light sources. Highly efficient diode pumping, proprietary laser architecture, and high surface-to-volume ratio of the fiber all combine to dramatically reduce electrical power consumption to provide more cost-effective and sustainable laser solutions.

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