IMRA America introduces the FCPA μJewel D-1000 - IMRA’s newest amplified ultrafast fiber laser

ANN ARBOR, MI, May 22, 2006 —

IMRA America, Inc. announces the launch of its newest ultrashort pulsed fiber laser product, the FCPA μJewelTM D-1000, in Long Beach, California, during the 2006 Conference for Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), May 23 – 25.

Based upon IMRA’s patented Fiber Chirped Pulse Amplification technology, this latest addition to the industry-leading FCPA μJewel family offers up to 10 microJoule level pulse energy at near infrared-wavelength. The FCPA architecture, which includes the capability to select repetition rates between 100 kHz and 5 MHz, allows users to choose from high energy operation with 10 microJoule pulses at 100 kHz and 1 microJoule pulses at 1 MHz. These options allow for material processing of harder materials or at faster rates, depending upon the application requirements.

The unique ablation properties of femtosecond lasers render higher precision in micromachining with reduced thermal effects, as well as a reduction in debris, recast, and burring. Additionally, they allow easier cutting and drilling of transparent materials with less collateral damage to the workpiece. These unique processing capabilities are being utilized in the semiconductor industry as well as the field of ophthalmic surgery. The remarkably clean ablation properties stem from the extremely high peak power and short pulse duration, which ionizes and vaporizes materials quickly before thermal effects such as heat diffusion can occur. IMRA holds a license agreement, with worldwide reach, based on the University of Michigan patent family including U.S. Patents RE37,585 and 5,656,186, covering a broad range of femtosecond laser-based micromachining, and extends those rights to customers through sales of the FCPA product family.

Production of the D-1000 will be based at IMRA’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI on the same manufacturing line that has been producing the pioneering FCPA μJewel D-400 since 2002. Potential customers can have access to the FCPA μJewel product line at IMRA’s Applications Research Lab (ARL) in Fremont, CA. Some of ARL’s recent results in micromachining process development are being presented during CLEO 2006 in Long Beach, CA. Additionally IMRA is expanding applications test capabilities in Europe through its new Premier Application Laboratory program.

About IMRA America, Inc.
Founded in 1990, IMRA America, Inc., headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., is a global-acting company dedicated to being the leader in the development of ultrafast fiber laser technologies for commercial applications. IMRA’s turnkey fiber lasers with their compact size, high stability and maintenance-free operation, are ideal optical pulse sources for: material processing, semiconductor inspection and repair, homeland security, instrumentation, medical diagnostics and therapy, and telecommunications. They are based on IMRA’s proprietary fiber oscillator, fiber amplifier, and advanced pulse compressor technologies, documented in over 70 U.S. patents and patent applications and many more worldwide. For information, visit www.imra.com or call (734) 930-2560.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Michelle Stock
Marketing Manager
IMRA America, Inc.
1044 Woodridge Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: (734) 930-2560
Fax: (734) 930-9957
e-mail: lasers@imra.com