Jan 29, 2008

Hamamatsu, Japan - January 29, 2008 - Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. has successfully conducted the world's first extended lifetime test of a high-power semiconductor laser that features a heat sink with fluorinated inert liquid as the refrigerant.

The laser system was continuously operated for over 12,000 hours.

It used a fluorinated refrigerant in its cooling mechanism as an alternative to the conventional method of using a deionizing water system to cool the laser during operation.

This new design allows for reductions in the size and maintenance of high-power semiconductor laser systems, and is expected to promote the practical application of these lasers in industrial applications.

High-power semiconductor lasers are currently being used in applications such as welding and cutting of materials, as well as nuclear fusion reaction for power generation.