The LASER World of Photonics 2025 in Munich once again demonstrated how rapidly photonics is evolving – not just in terms of power and precision, but in how seamlessly it integrates into the broader world of automation and digital manufacturing. While strolling through the show, I had a few standout moments around USP lasers ranging from an ultra-compact fs-laser with USB port all the way to a huge 1 kW-class ps-laser with industrial-grade performance for large area surface processing. In addition, multi-kW class plug&play fiber laser connectors and the tremendous width of available laser wavelengths caught my attention, not seeming like a severe novelty – but in reality, being a sign of a new generation of systems that are modular, connected, meant for industrial processing and therefore easy to deploy.
What truly impressed me, was how in general laser fit into an automated production environment. The integration of photonics into robotics and smart manufacturing is no longer a vision, it’s happening now. The ability to split beams and process hundreds of points simultaneously, combined with real-time monitoring and AI-driven control, is transforming our thinking about laser-based production.
The spirit of innovation and the desire to connect resonate strongly with the Berthold Leibinger Future Prize and the Innovation Prize, which take place biennially in Ditzingen the Friday before the LASER Show to honor outstanding achievements in laser technology. It felt like we all agreed with Peter Leibinger, who underlined in his opening statement the importance of celebrating innovation, even if the world seems off balance. The 2025 Future Prize went to Prof. Jun Ye from the University of Colorado, whose work on optical lattice clocks redefines not only timekeeping but also impacts the frontiers of fundamental physics. Furthermore, the international Innovation Prize winners reflect the diversity and depth of the photonics community: ranging from fs-laser based eye surgery (SMILE) from ZEISS Medical Technology AG to a new type of DUV laser diode emitting at 274nm in cw from Nagoya University and Asahi Kasai Corp., and finally to laser assisted nano-particle tracking-analysis by Max-Plank Institute in Erlangen. The achievements from these international teams perfectly underscore the dynamic interplay between fundamental research and industrial application.
What connects the Laser World of Photonics 2025 and the Leibinger Prize winners is a shared ethos: the translation of scientific insight into real-world solutions. They are perfect examples of how cutting-edge research can evolve into robust, scalable tools. And the award-winning researchers remind us of the foundational breakthroughs that make such tools possible.
Visiting the executive breakfast meeting from EPIC, which felt like -thanks to Carlos- a photonic speed dating event, mirrored the dynamics in our industry: In an era defined by automation, sustainability, and precision, the photonics community is not just keeping pace – it’s setting the direction. Whether in the form of high-power lasers or a Nobel-Prize-worthy discovery, photonics continues to illuminate the path forward.
Berthold Schmidt, CTO & Managing Board Member, TRUMPF
