Lumentum Showcases Next-Generation Ultrafast and UV Laser Platforms for Precision Manufacturing at Photonics West 2026
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ultrafasttechnical
An adjective describing a process, device, test, or system that operates at a much higher speed than standard alternatives. For investors, "ultrafast" signals potential competitive advantage — for example quicker test results, faster manufacturing, or near-instant data processing — which can reduce costs, accelerate revenue, or improve market responsiveness; think of it like an express checkout lane that shortens wait times and increases throughput.
3d sensingtechnical
3D sensing is technology that lets devices measure the shape, distance and position of objects in three dimensions rather than just capturing a flat image, similar to giving a camera “depth perception” like human eyes. Investors care because it underpins products and services—from safety systems in vehicles to virtual reality, robotics and medical imaging—that can drive revenue growth, create competitive advantage, and influence capital spending and regulatory risk across industries.
micromachiningtechnical
Micromachining is the process of cutting, shaping or forming extremely small parts and features—often at the scale of micrometers—using tools like lasers, tiny drills or chemical etching. It matters to investors because it enables smaller, more precise and often cheaper components for electronics, medical devices and sensors; companies that master it can reduce costs, unlock new products and gain competitive advantage much like a jeweler who can work with finer details than rivals.
nanosecond-pulsedtechnical
Nanosecond-pulsed describes equipment or processes that emit bursts of energy—often light or electrical current—each lasting on the order of one billionth of a second. For investors, this indicates technology designed for extreme precision and minimal heat or collateral effect, which can improve product performance, safety, or regulatory compliance in industries like medical devices, manufacturing, or communications. Think of it as an ultra-fast camera flash that targets only what’s needed.
A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is a tiny semiconductor laser that sends light straight out of its top surface, like a small, highly directional surface-mounted flashlight, rather than from the side like traditional lasers. Investors care because VCSELs are cheaper to manufacture, easier to test and package, and are widely used in data communications, phone and sensing applications; that combination can lower costs, speed scaling, and create revenue growth for companies that produce or integrate them.
vcseltechnical
A VCSEL is a tiny semiconductor laser that emits light straight out of the surface of a chip, like a miniature, very precise flashlight built into an electronic component. Investors care because VCSELs are key parts in optical communication, sensors, and proximity or gesture controls—products with growing demand—so changes in VCSEL supply, cost or adoption can affect a maker’s sales, margins and the competitive position of companies that rely on them.
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Lumentum Holdings Inc. (“Lumentum”), a market-leading designer and manufacturer of optical and photonic products, announced today its participation in SPIE Photonics West 2026, where it will showcase high-power ultrafast, UV, and 3D sensing laser solutions designed to meet the growing precision, throughput, and reliability demands of advanced manufacturing and sensing applications.
Attendees are invited to visit Lumentum booth #2343 at the San Francisco Moscone Center from January 20-22, where the company will demonstrate how its latest laser and photonic innovations are driving new levels of precision, scalability, and integration across advanced manufacturing applications.
Featured products include:
PicoBlade® Core – Lumentum’s latest ultrafast laser platform delivers up to 150 watts of average power with sub-12 picosecond pulses and integrated multi-wavelength output in a compact, unified design. It enables high-throughput, precision micromachining for printed circuit boards, battery cells, solar cells, and consumer electronics applications. The platform is available in NIR, Green and UV wavelengths.
NQ-Series – The newest addition to Lumentum’s nanosecond-pulsed laser portfolio, the NQ-Series delivers up to 500 µJ pulse energy of UV light at rates up to 60 kHz. Designed for high-throughput micromachining, the NQ-Series brings exceptional beam quality and reliability to address next-generation processing challenges.
3D Sensing VCSELs – Lumentum offers a broad portfolio of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) solutions supporting 3D sensing across a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. Scalable, high-volume manufacturing ensures consistent performance, high reliability, and power efficiency for use cases including depth sensing, object detection, and driver assistance systems.
“Manufacturers are being pushed to achieve tighter tolerances while simultaneously increasing throughput and uptime,” said Matt Philpott, vice president of business development at Lumentum. “Our latest ultrafast and nanosecond-pulsed laser platforms are designed to address that challenge directly— combining higher average power, precise pulse control, and proven reliability to enable scalable, production-ready micromachining across demanding applications.”
About Lumentum
Lumentum (NASDAQ: LITE) is a market-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative optical and photonic products enabling optical networking and laser applications worldwide. Lumentum optical components and subsystems are part of virtually every type of telecom, enterprise, and data center network. Lumentum lasers enable advanced manufacturing techniques and diverse applications, including next-generation 3D sensing capabilities. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California, with R&D, manufacturing, and sales offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.lumentum.com.
