Analyst(s): Olivier Blanchard
Publication Date: March 19, 2025
Coherent Corp. has launched a 793nm pump laser diode with 28W power and 97% polarization purity, setting new performance standards in Thulium fiber laser technology. The diode is designed to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and treatment times in medical applications while supporting industrial laser advancements.
What is Covered in this Article:
- Coherent’s launch of a 28W 793 nanometer (nm) pump laser diode with 97% polarization purity.
- The product’s role in enhancing Thulium fiber laser systems for medical and industrial applications.
- The impact of improved power efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Coherent’s broader laser technology portfolio and ongoing innovations.
The News: Coherent Corp. has introduced a 793nm pump laser diode with 28W power and 97% polarization purity, establishing a new benchmark for Thulium fiber laser performance. The product aims to improve laser efficiency, reduce operational costs, and enable new applications in both medical and industrial markets.
The higher power output and improved polarization purity allow for increased laser efficiency, contributing to shorter treatment times in medical applications and broader industrial adoption. The diode integrates with Coherent’s existing fiber laser portfolio, including fiber-coupled diode laser modules and Thulium-doped fibers, reinforcing the company’s position in the laser technology sector.
Coherent Introduces 793nm Pump Laser Diode Solidifies Company’s Integration Strategy
Analyst Take: Coherent’s latest addition to its fiber laser portfolio—the 793nm pump laser diode—delivers a powerful combination of high output and exceptional polarization purity. Offering 28W of power and 97% polarization purity, this diode enhances energy transfer efficiency, reducing operational costs and improving overall system performance. As Thulium fiber lasers see increased adoption, particularly in medical and industrial applications, this component is positioned to play a pivotal role in advancing laser technology.
Growing Market for Thulium Fiber Lasers
The demand for Thulium fiber lasers is growing, especially in medical applications such as surgical procedures, tissue ablation, and lithotripsy (a procedure used to break down stones in the kidney, gall bladder, or ureter). Operating at a ~2µm wavelength, these lasers provide enhanced precision and safety compared to other laser types. Coherent’s 793nm pump diode is specifically engineered for higher power pumping, leading to shorter treatment durations, improved clinical efficiency, and better patient outcomes.
Beyond healthcare, Thulium fiber lasers are also gaining traction in industrial sectors, including cutting, welding, and materials processing. The increased power output from Coherent’s new diode enhances fiber laser performance, enabling more cost-effective and versatile solutions for manufacturers.
Advantages of High Polarization Purity
One of the key differentiators of Coherent’s 793nm pump laser diode is its 97% polarization purity, which significantly improves energy transfer efficiency. This translates to lower power losses, higher output power, and reduced energy consumption, driving towards improved ROI and fitting well within sustainability programs. Additionally, the diode’s optimized pump design minimizes thermal management requirements, simplifying system integration and potentially reducing overall costs for end-users even further.
Seamless Integration with Coherent’s Laser Portfolio
Because Coherent’s extensive laser technology portfolio also includes fiber-coupled diode modules, Thulium-doped fibers, and advanced optics, integrating the 793nm diode into these systems reinforces Coherent’s position as a vertically integrated laser solutions provider.
Moreover, Coherent’s Fiber Laser division actively incorporates this technology into next-generation Thulium fiber lasers. Thulium fiber lasers (TFLs) are fairly new, relatively compact lasers with a broad array of capabilities, making them ideal for medical applications involving precise incisions, adequate coagulation for hemostasis (during soft tissue procedures), and rapid vaporization. This strategic approach could help customers access optimized, high-performance laser systems from a single vertically integrated source while reducing reliance on multiple suppliers.
Market Positioning and Growth Potential
The introduction of Coherent’s 793nm pump diode aligns with broader industry trends favoring higher-power, energy-efficient laser solutions. As a major player in precision photonics, Coherent strengthens its competitive edge in a rapidly growing market.
During its Q2 FY 2025 earnings call, Coherent emphasized that laser innovation remains a key revenue driver, particularly in medical and industrial applications. The company’s laser segment recorded a 6% year-over-year (YoY) growth, fueled by demand for high-performance solutions. This new diode technology is set to accelerate Coherent’s market share expansion, reinforcing its market position in fiber laser advancements.
What to Watch:
- Rising demand for Thulium fiber lasers in medical and industrial applications could accelerate the adoption of Coherent’s 793nm pump laser diode.
- Expansion of Coherent’s vertically integrated laser portfolio may enhance competitive differentiation.
- Potential for integration into future fiber laser applications supporting AI and data center transitions from electrical to optical connections.
- Regulatory and certification requirements for medical laser applications could impact commercialization timelines.
See the complete press release on Coherent’s launch of the 793nm pump laser diode on the Coherent website.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
Other insights from The Futurum Group:
Coherent Reports Robust Q2, Driven by Datacom Strength and Margin Expansion
Taking a Look at Coherent’s EDGE FL™ Series for Industrial Fiber Laser Solutions
Beyond the Numbers: Jim Anderson on Coherent’s Next Chapter – Six Five Media
Image Credit: Coherent
Author Information
Research Director Olivier Blanchard covers edge semiconductors and intelligent AI-capable devices for Futurum. In addition to having co-authored several books about digital transformation and AI with Futurum Group CEO Daniel Newman, Blanchard brings considerable experience demystifying new and emerging technologies, advising clients on how best to future-proof their organizations, and helping maximize the positive impacts of technology disruption while mitigating their potentially negative effects. Follow his extended analysis on X and LinkedIn.