Spectra-Physics® is a leading global supplier of laser systems. At our facility near Berlin, Germany, we develop and manufacture the most compact, reliable, and durable nanosecond OEM lasers serving many high-volume applications. These lasers offer infrared, green, and ultraviolet light with unmatched performance parameters.
Founded in 1992 as a spin-out from the Technical University in Berlin, Laser Analytical Systems (LAS) was acquired by Spectra-Physics in September 2000. In the late 1990s, LAS introduced several leading-edge laser products that generated deep UV at 244 and 266 nm, using patented enhancement cavity designs targeted for the fast-growing telecom market and high-end research applications. After the telecom market bubble, the R&D efforts were directed toward developing cost-efficient nanosecond pulsed industrial-grade OEM lasers. Today, we manufacture the Explorer® laser series, serving OEM customers in diverse volume applications. The Explorer product family uses an internally developed, highly automated laser resonator alignment technology. Close collaboration with Newport™ colleagues enabled us to take advantage of expertise and know-how in motion control when developing this highly advanced and unique pick-and-place technology to build lasers in high volumes.
We deliver ultra-compact, highly reliable, and durable lasers, enabling our customers to push the envelope by developing smaller, lighter, yet more powerful instruments in the smallest footprint possible. With a worldwide installed base of several thousand Explorer lasers, our customer base ranges from small start-ups to large global corporations. Customer satisfaction is our #1 priority. We listen to customer needs and transform them into laser requirements. The high degree of automation in our manufacturing enables customized, tailored specification reports. Each Explorer laser undergoes extensive test procedures and is inspected to rigorous standards, including thermal cycling and shock testing exceeding 200 g’s of acceleration. Out-of-the-box or infant failures are essentially non-existent.
The worldwide presence of Spectra-Physics, an MKS brand, features numerous production facilities around the world and an international network of direct sales and service hubs. This extensive, global network provides superior service and dependable support local to our customers.
Spectra-Physics is an MKS brand with offices in countries worldwide, serving customers across a broad range of industry segments. Spectra-Physics Stahnsdorf is an integral part of one the largest photonics companies in the world, and we are focused on sustainable growth and financial stability.
Teamwork and an open and friendly culture among colleagues and managers are essential to us. We empower employees to create new and innovative ideas that address the needs and requirements of our customers in the industry. We invest in continuing education and on-the-job training to keep our employees up-to-date on the latest trends. We offer excellent benefits bundled with flexible working hours and participation in a company-wide bonus program.
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Spectra-Physics Explorer® lasers serve a large number of applications in diverse markets. The Explorer models offer short pulse width, peak power, average power, or pulse energy. Depending on the model, they can be operated from a single shot up to 500 kHz. Nearly diffraction mode quality enables tight focusing and high spatial resolution. Patented intra-cavity harmonics generation enables the highest wall-plug efficiencies and ultra-stable performance.
The Explorer lasers are used in various applications, from cancer research to smartphone manufacturing, 3D printing in rapid prototyping, semiconductor manufacturing, micromachining, and metal and plastics marking, among many others.
The Explorer® series lasers are manufactured in clean rooms of ISO Class 5 Standards and better. From start to finish, the lasers are built in highly controlled manufacturing areas, applying strict quality control standards and requirements. Our implemented Data Management Tools ensure 100% component traceability for each laser we build. In addition, each laser undergoes a 100% inspection test and is exposed to thermal cycling and bare product shock testing exceeding 200 g’s of acceleration as part of the manufacturing cycle. These rigorous tests eliminate out-of-the-box failures and demonstrate the ruggedness and durability of the Explorer series lasers. Lean manufacturing and six-sigma methods are applied to drive continuous product improvements in our quest to develop the most reliable industrial lasers. Explorer customers benefit from the following features:
The Spectra-Physics Vanguard® One™ UV125 is a compact, all-in-one, quasi-CW laser delivering >125 mW of UV power. The new laser operates air-cooled with low noise of <1% rms and delivers a long-operating life and low cost of ownership. Vanguard One is ideal for applications in bio-instrumentation, including flow cytometry, microscopy, cell sorting, and semiconductor wafer inspection. Based on the highly successful Vanguard laser family, Vanguard One UV125 is an all-in-one laser, combining electronics, laser cavity, and cooling in a single housing for easy integration and bench-top tools. The quasi-CW The Vanguard One Advantage operation ensures high fluorescence signal-to-noise ratio while preventing cell damage in bio-instrumentation. The laser firmware enables closed-loop power control, ensuring long-term stability with less than 2% power variation for consistent measurement results. Vanguard One lasers pass extensive environmental qualification testing to deliver high reliability and low cost-of-ownership needed for bio-instrumentation and demanding industrial applications. Vanguard One customers benefit from the following features: