Where will the laser industry go in the future?
Laser is a major invention of human beings since the 20th century, after atomic energy, computers, and semiconductors. It is called "the fastest knife", "the most accurate ruler", "the brightest light" and "the fantastic laser".
As one of the most advanced manufacturing and processing technologies in the world, laser technology has been widely used in industrial production, communication, information processing, medical beauty, 3D sensing, military, cultural education and scientific research. A lot of money, talents, and institutions began to run into the field. It can be said that the laser industry is becoming more and more "popular" from a very "niche" market.
From the perspective of chip to see China's laser industry in the future
High-power semiconductor laser chips have always been the core components in laser industry, and laser industry based on semiconductor laser chips has developed rapidly around the world. In order to occupy the world's technological commanding heights in a global competitive environment, developed countries have stepped up their implementation of semiconductor laser industry development plans, such as the US Semiconductor Laser Fusion Program, the German Semiconductor Laser 2001 Action Plan, the UK's Avil Plan, Japan's Semiconductor Laser Research Five-Year Plan, etc., the development of the national semiconductor laser industry represented by the United States, Germany and Japan is rapidly developing, and its major large-scale manufacturing industries, such as automotive, electronics, machinery, aviation, steel industry. The replacement of traditional processes with semiconductor laser processing has been basically completed.
With the continuous improvement of the domestic economic situation, China's laser industry has also achieved rapid development. The development of the semiconductor laser industry has begun to take shape in the past 50 years, mainly involving industrial, medical, military and cultural aspects. In recent years, the domestic development of the laser industry has been increased. In various regions, with the leadership of the government and the cooperation of laser companies, we have concentrated on scientific research, upgrading technology, opening up markets, and building a laser industry zone. Forward-looking Industrial Research Institute predicts that by 2023, China's semiconductor laser industry market will be close to 30 billion yuan.
What will the laser industry be like in the future?
It’s no doubt that laser technologies in the future will move toward higher power, better beam quality, shorter wavelengths, and faster frequencies. For example, as downstream laser devices increasingly require energy density, manufacturers need to continuously improve core component performance (such as high-power semiconductor laser chips and gain fibers), and the power of fiber lasers needs advanced integration. In addition, laser modulation technologies such as power synthesis, which will bring new requirements and challenges to high-power laser chip manufacturers.
From the perspective of application, in addition to the rapid growth in industrial processing, lasers have also penetrated into more emerging applications : laser cleaning, 3D printing, laser radar, laser medical beauty, 3D sensing, laser display, laser lighting, etc. It will greatly promote the rapid development of the laser industry, especially in the field of automotive electronics and consumer electronics, which is expected to be a driving force in the laser industry. A trillion value is not a mirage.
