Coherent Introduces Germanium-Free Electro-Optic Modulator for High-Speed CO2 Laser Via Drilling

Rhea-AI Summary

Coherent (NYSE: COHR) introduced a germanium-free electro-optic modulator (EOM) for high-speed CO2 laser via drilling in semiconductor manufacturing on Jan 16, 2026. The EOM delivers sub-microsecond pulses with sub-200ns rise/fall times and handles laser powers up to 300W (300W version available now; 1,000W for alpha prototype testing). The design removes dependence on scarce germanium, offers higher power handling and faster switching than conventional acousto-optic modulators, enables straight-through alignment, and represents version 2.0 with improved reliability and ease of use. Product is available to order with standard lead times.

Positive

• Sub-microsecond pulse capability with sub-200ns rise/fall times
• Handles laser powers up to 300W (300W shipping now)
• Germanium-free architecture reduces supply-chain dependence
• Version 2.0 claims improved reliability and ease of use
• 1,000W variant available for alpha prototype testing

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Share price: $195.96 Volume: 6,898,069 shares 52-week range: $45.58–$210.90 +5 more

8 metrics

Share price $195.96 Pre-news price on 2026-01-16, up 6.44% over prior close

Volume 6,898,069 shares Today vs 20-day average 3,806,476 (1.81x)

52-week range $45.58–$210.90 Price sits 7.08% below 52-week high before this news

200-day MA $111.44 Stock trading above long-term moving average pre-announcement

Laser power rating 300W Fully featured EOM version for high-speed CO₂ via drilling

Prototype rating 1,000W EOM version available for alpha prototype testing

Switching speed <1µs pulses, sub-200ns rise/fall Ultra-fast electro-optic modulation for CO₂ laser via drilling

Registered resale shares 9,775,846 shares Automatic shelf for selling securityholders’ converted Series B-2 common

Market Reality Check

Price: $191.04 Vol: Volume 6,898,069 is about...

high vol

$191.04 Last Close

Volume Volume 6,898,069 is about 1.81x the 20-day average of 3,806,476, indicating elevated interest ahead of and around this product launch. high

Technical Shares trade above the 200-day MA of $111.44, near the upper end of the 52-week range ($45.58–$210.90).

Peers on Argus

COHR gained 6.44%, while key peers showed mixed, modest moves (e.g., FTV -0.84%,...

COHR gained 6.44%, while key peers showed mixed, modest moves (e.g., FTV -0.84%, TRMB -2%, TDY +0.23%, KEYS +0.11%, GRMN +0.37%). The move appears stock-specific, tied to CO2 via drilling product news rather than a broad sector rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 15 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 15	Laser product launch	Positive	+6.4%	Launch of Sapphire XT compact 1W visible laser platform for life sciences and semiconductors.
Jan 14	Conference participation	Neutral	-3.1%	Announcement of thought-leadership presentations and demos at SPIE BiOS & Photonics West.
Jan 13	Business spin-out	Positive	+2.6%	Launch of Attalon as independent defense technology company from Coherent’s former business.
Jan 12	Optical filter launch	Positive	+4.0%	Introduction of WaveShaper 1000A Sharp high-resolution programmable optical filter.
Dec 11	Board appointment	Neutral	+0.5%	Comtech board appointment highlighting Coherent’s prior revenue scale under former CFO.

Pattern Detected

Recent product and portfolio announcements have generally coincided with positive price reactions, with only a conference-related headline showing a negative move.

Recent Company History

Over the past months, Coherent has repeatedly highlighted product innovation and portfolio evolution. On Jan 12, 2026, it launched the WaveShaper 1000A Sharp programmable optical filter, followed by the Attalon spin-out announcement on Jan 13, 2026. Conference participation at SPIE BiOS & Photonics West on Jan 14, 2026 saw a modest decline. A day later, the Sapphire XT 1W visible laser platform launch on Jan 15, 2026 aligned with a strong positive move. Today’s germanium-free CO₂ via drilling modulator extends this rapid sequence of industrial and semiconductor-focused product releases.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-12-16

An effective S-3ASR automatic shelf filed on Dec 16, 2025 permits selling securityholders to resell up to 9,775,846 shares of common stock issued upon Series B-2 preferred conversions. The company will not receive proceeds from these resales but will cover specified registration expenses. As of Dec 15, 2025, Coherent had 187,419,766 common shares outstanding, framing the potential resale size.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights a germanium-free electro-optic modulator for CO₂ via drilling, offering...

Analysis

This announcement highlights a germanium-free electro-optic modulator for CO₂ via drilling, offering sub-1µs pulses at up to 300W and an alpha prototype at 1,000W. It targets supply-chain and performance constraints in a critical semiconductor manufacturing step. Recent filings show an effective automatic shelf for 9,775,846 resale shares and late-2025 insider sales. Observers may track adoption in via drilling tools, additional semiconductor design wins, and any future use of the registered resale capacity.

Key Terms

electro-optic modulator, co₂ lasers, via drilling, acousto-optic modulators, +1 more

5 terms

electro-optic modulator technical

"announced the release of a new electro-optic modulator (EOM) designed for high-speed"

An electro-optic modulator is a device that lets an electrical signal change the properties of light — usually its brightness, timing or orientation — so electronic systems can control optical signals much like a dimmer controls a lamp. Investors care because these components are essential in fiber-optic communications, data centers, sensors and lidar; advances or higher demand can drive revenue and competitive advantage for firms that make or use high-speed optical links.

co₂ lasers technical

"designed for high-speed switching of CO₂ lasers in via drilling applications"

CO₂ lasers are devices that produce a concentrated beam of infrared light using carbon dioxide gas to cut, vaporize, or reshape tissue and materials; think of them as a precise, high-energy cutting tool or heat lamp focused to a tiny point. For investors, these lasers matter because they power medical procedures, cosmetic treatments, and industrial manufacturing—so sales, regulatory approvals, safety records, and technological upgrades can directly affect a company’s revenue and risk profile.

via drilling technical

"CO₂ lasers in via drilling applications for the semiconductor industry"

Via drilling means obtaining material, data or access by making a borehole into the ground or a rock formation. For investors it signals the company used mechanical drilling rather than surface sampling or other methods, which affects costs, timeline, certainty about the resource and environmental or regulatory obligations — think of it like using a deep probe instead of just looking at the surface.

acousto-optic modulators technical

"made traditional acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) increasingly expensive and difficult"

Acousto-optic modulators are small devices that use sound waves inside a solid crystal to change a light beam’s brightness, color (frequency), or direction—think of ripples in water redirecting a stream of light. Investors care because these components enable and improve lasers, fiber-optic communications, imaging systems, and precision manufacturing; their performance, cost, and availability can directly affect the competitiveness and revenue potential of companies that build or use advanced optical products.

f-theta lenses technical

"pairs seamlessly with Coherent CO₂ lasers and Coherent F-Theta lenses, enabling"

A specialized optical lens used in laser scanning equipment that keeps a laser spot in focus and evenly spaced as the beam sweeps across a flat surface; think of it like a specially curved mirror that makes a flashlight beam stay sharp and move at a steady speed when you wave it across a wall. Investors care because these lenses directly affect product speed, precision, yields and manufacturing costs in industries such as semiconductor, medical devices and industrial cutting, so availability, quality and price can influence revenue, margins and competitive position for companies that make or use laser-based systems.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

SAXONBURG, Pa., Jan. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a global leader in photonics, today announced the release of a new electro-optic modulator (EOM) designed for high-speed switching of CO₂ lasers in via drilling applications for the semiconductor industry. The new EOM provides a germanium-free solution capable of sub-microsecond pulse generation at laser powers up to 300W, addressing both performance demands and supply-chain constraints.

The Coherent EOM is the only germanium-free ultra-fast switching solution on the market capable of producing pulses shorter than 1µs with sub-200ns rise and fall times. By eliminating dependence on germanium while delivering high speed and power handling, the EOM establishes a new benchmark for precision laser modulation in via drilling.

Via drilling remains a critical segment of semiconductor manufacturing, yet the scarcity of germanium has made traditional acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) increasingly expensive and difficult to source. Coherent’s EOM addresses this challenge with a germanium-free architecture that delivers higher power handling, shorter pulse capability, and faster switching performance than conventional AOM-based solutions. Simplifying system design and installation, EOM’s enable straight through alignment, eliminating diffractive order beam angles of conventional AOM-based solutions. There are currently no comparable EOM alternatives available for this market.

“Coherent has been developing electro-optic modulators for more than 50 years,” said Steve Rummel, Sr. Vice President at Coherent. “This EOM represents a significant step forward for the via drilling market, delivering ultra-fast switching performance at a more accessible price point while removing dependence on scarce materials at a time when supply security is critical. Our ability to replace the scarcity of germanium with an alternative is the perfect time for the market.”

Coherent is launching a fully featured 300W version of the EOM, with a 1,000W version available for alpha prototype testing. The EOM pairs seamlessly with Coherent CO₂ lasers and Coherent F-Theta lenses, enabling efficient delivery of maximum pulse energy with industry-leading precision and performance. This release represents version 2.0 of Coherent’s EOM platform, featuring improved reliability and ease of use compared to the previous generation.

The product is available to order now with standard lead times. For more information, visit: https://www.coherent.com/optics/optical-devices-and-subassemblies/eo-modulators

About Coherent 

Coherent is the global photonics leader. We harness photons to drive innovation. Industry leaders in the datacenter, communications, and industrial markets rely on Coherent’s world-leading technology to fuel their own innovation and growth. Founded in 1971 and operating in more than 20 countries, Coherent brings the industry’s broadest, deepest technology stack; unmatched supply chain resilience; and global scale to help its customers solve their toughest technology challenges. For more information, visit us at coherent.com.

Media Contact: 

innovations@coherent.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa3c619a-4527-4562-b8ea-e6ebf975d54d

FAQ

What are the pulse and switching specifications of Coherent's new EOM (COHR)?

The EOM produces sub-microsecond pulses with sub-200ns rise and fall times.

What laser power levels does Coherent's EOM (COHR) support and which versions are available?

A fully featured 300W version is available to order now; a 1,000W version is offered for alpha prototype testing.

How does the germanium-free EOM from Coherent (COHR) affect supply-chain risk for via drilling?

The germanium-free design removes dependence on scarce germanium, addressing sourcing and cost pressures tied to traditional AOMs.

Can Coherent's EOM (COHR) integrate with existing CO2 laser systems and optics?

Yes; the EOM pairs with Coherent CO2 lasers and Coherent F-Theta lenses for efficient pulse delivery and precision.

When was Coherent's germanium-free EOM announced and is it orderable?

The product was announced on January 16, 2026 and the 300W version is available to order with standard lead times.