Development and manufacture of lasers for industrial micromachining, semiconductors and scientific research.
Company name
Milpitas, USA · Rankweil, Austria · Vienna, Austria · Rehovot, IsraelNew on Amplifa
About Spectra-Physics
Spectra-Physics is a brand within the MKS Photonics Solution Division of MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) and manufactures a broad portfolio of lasers for precise industrial applications and scientific research. The product range includes ultrafast lasers (femtosecond and picosecond lasers), pulsed nanosecond lasers, continuous-wave lasers and UV lasers for marking and coding applications, including models such as Solstice APX, Talon APX, Talon Mark, Talon Ace, IceFyre FS, Vanguard One and InSight X3+. Manufacturing takes place in cleanrooms at four plant locations in the USA, Austria and Israel; extensive optical coating capacity enables high optical damage thresholds and precise dispersion control for UV, ultrafast and high-energy lasers. The company relies on methods such as 5S, statistical process control and Lean Manufacturing and delivers thousands of lasers annually to industries such as semiconductors, electronics and packaging, Life & Health Sciences, scientific research, Industrial Technologies and consumer electronics. In addition to laser manufacturing, Spectra-Physics offers technical support, service programs, calibration and repair, training, as well as spare parts and installation support.
- Site
- Milpitas
- Processes
- Laser micromachining (ns UV/Green, ps, fs), Laser Marking/Coding (Talon Mark), Optical Coating (optical coating), Technical support, Service programs, Calibration and repair, Training programs, Spare parts and consumables
- Materials
- Ultrafast Lasers (Femtosecond/Picosecond), Pulsed Nanosecond UV and Green Lasers, Continuous-Wave Lasers, Mode-Locked Lasers, UV Lasers for Marking/Coding, Optical Coating
- Certificates
- Statistical Process Control (SPC), Cleanroom manufacturing, ISO procedures, Production screening tests, 5S / Lean Manufacturing
- Founded
- 1961
- Industries
- Semiconductors, Electronics and Packaging, Life & Health Sciences, Scientific Research, Industrial Technologies, Consumer Electronics
- 01
R&D and laser optics design
- 02
Optical coating
- 03
Component manufacturing and qualification
- 04
Cleanroom system integration
- 05
Production screening tests
- 06
Sales and worldwide service (Total Laser Care)
Laser Technologies & Processes
Ultrafast Lasers (Femtosecond/Picosecond)
Ultrashort-pulse lasers such as Solstice APX and IceFyre FS for precise micromachining with minimal thermal influence.
Pulsed Nanosecond UV and Green Lasers
Lasers such as Talon APX and Talon Ace (>100 W UV) for high-throughput laser micromachining.
Continuous-Wave Lasers
Continuous-wave lasers for industrial and scientific applications.
Mode-Locked Lasers
Lasers such as Vanguard One and InSight X3+ for microscopy, deep-tissue imaging and research.
UV Lasers for Marking/Coding
Talon Mark for high-speed marking and coding applications, designed for consumer goods.
Optical Coating
In-house coating capacity with high optical damage threshold and precise dispersion control for UV, ultrafast and high-energy lasers.
Manufacturing Sites
Milpitas
USHeadquarters and factory
- Cleanroom laser manufacturing
- Optical coating
Rankweil
ATFactory
- Cleanroom laser manufacturing
- Optical coating
Vienna
ATFactory
- Cleanroom laser manufacturing
- Optical coating
Rehovot
ILFactory
- Cleanroom laser manufacturing
- Optical coating
Laser Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser micromachining (ns UV/Green, ps, fs)Machining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Laser Marking/Coding (Talon Mark)Surface | – | – | – | – | Consumer Goods (unspecified) |
| Optical Coating (optical coating)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
8 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrafast Laser (fs/ps) | Spectra-Physics Solstice APX | – | – | – | – |
| UV Nanosecond Laser | Spectra-Physics Talon APX | – | – | – | – |
| UV Laser for Marking/Coding | Spectra-Physics Talon Mark | – | – | – | – |
| UV Nanosecond Laser >100 W | Spectra-Physics Talon Ace | – | – | – | – |
| Femtosecond Laser >200 W IR / >50 W UV | Spectra-Physics IceFyre FS | – | – | – | – |
| Mode-Locked Quasi-CW Laser | Spectra-Physics Vanguard One | – | – | – | – |
| Mode-Locked Laser for Deep Tissue Imaging | Spectra-Physics InSight X3+ | – | – | – | – |
| Vibration-Isolated Optical Table System | Newport S-2000 Stabilizer | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Quality & Reliability
Spectra-Physics manufactures in cleanrooms according to strict standards with statistical process control and extensive ISO procedures. Every laser undergoes component and system qualification (including shock, vibration, thermal cycling, humidity) as well as production screening tests before delivery.
| Evidence | Milpitas | Rankweil | Vienna | Rehovot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistical Process Control (SPC) | ||||
| Cleanroom manufacturing | ||||
| ISO procedures | ||||
| Production screening tests | ||||
| 5S / Lean Manufacturing |
Company History
- 1961
Founded in the USA as the first company fully specialized in lasers; headquartered in Mountain View, California until 2009
- 1962
First commercially available CW laser (Model 110)
- 1964
Invention of the ion laser by Earl Bell and Arnold Bloom
- 1968
First commercial mode-locked laser
- 1974
Introduction of the first commercial barcode scanner (division sold to PSC Inc. in 1996)
- 1976
First Nd:YAG laser with unstable resonator (Quanta-Ray DCR 1)
- 1988
Industrial division goes to Siemens and is incorporated into Rofin-Sinar
- 2004
Acquisition by Newport Corporation
- 2010
Headquarters relocated to Santa Clara, California
- 2021
Headquarters relocated to Milpitas, California; now part of MKS Instruments/MKS Inc.