On September 24 and 25, Strasbourg will host the PLI Conferences, a key event dedicated to laser processes for industry.
The
event is organized by CLP, IREPA LASER, ICUBE, IPG PHOTONICS, PRECITEC,
and the PHOTONICS INSTITUTE, with support from TRUMPF and OPTOPRIM, in
partnership with PHOTONICS FRANCE.
Among the many experts who
will be speaking, we had the honor of meeting François WEISBUCH from
GlobalFoundries Dresden. In this interview, he shares his background,
his insights into current and future trends in the industry, and his
reasons for participating in the PLI Conferences.
Discover his answers:
Can you tell us about your professional background and key experiences in the field of lasers and industrial processes?
I
discovered lasers during my PhD, which I completed at the University of
Bordeaux. Specifically, I worked on the interaction between an excimer
laser, operating in the UV wavelength range, and various types of
polymers. The idea was to shape the laser beam using optics in order to
study this interaction at submicron scales using a high-power laser.
This naturally led me into the microelectronics sector. In fact, the
fabrication of microchips and miniaturized components relies heavily on a
crucial step known as microlithography, in which lasers play a key
role. The principle of microlithography involves transferring patterns
from a mask onto a photosensitive resist. This requires the use of very
sophisticated optics and processes to print structures often smaller
than the laser’s wavelength. It also requires the ability to precisely
characterize, measure, simulate, and ultimately correct the shape of the
laser beam to ensure the printed patterns meet specifications.
In your view, how are laser processes revolutionizing industry today?
Lasers
are used across a wide range of sectors thanks to their unique
characteristics and the continuous improvement of their properties and
reliability. The diversity of laser types makes them now omnipresent in
manufacturing, metrology, quality control, and communications. The
modularity of lasers makes them a key component in modern manufacturing.
Staying within the field of microelectronics, we can highlight their
versatility in areas such as microlithography, etching and cutting,
metrology (dimensional measurements, alignments, inspection), repair,
cleaning, and marking. In short, lasers are everywhere, in all shapes
and forms.
Why did you choose to participate in the PLI Conferences, and what are your goals as a speaker at this event?
I
was pleased to be invited to take part in the PLI Conferences. I’m very
excited to discover the latest developments in industrial lasers,
particularly in the field of laser ablation, which was one of the topics
of my thesis. As a speaker, I would like to share my experience in
microelectronics—a now highly strategic field—by highlighting the
crucial role lasers have played in its evolution over the past few
decades. Through an introduction to microlithography, I want to showcase
an advanced industrial laser application.
As an expert, what do you see as the main current and future trends in industrial laser technology?
I
believe lasers will play an even greater role in the automation of
manufacturing processes, thanks to improved performance and control
capabilities, particularly with the help of artificial intelligence. I
also foresee continued growth in laser use due to the rapid expansion of
sensors and radars. Silicon photonics, which integrates optical and
electronic components on a single chip, is also seeing strong growth.
All of this should naturally benefit the industrial laser ecosystem.
What
role does the Club Laser et Procédés (CLP) play, in your opinion, in
promoting and advancing laser technologies in industry?
It is truly
encouraging to see this initiative to bring together industry
professionals and researchers from various backgrounds working on laser
technologies. Sharing and disseminating ideas is undoubtedly a driver of
innovation and development in this field.
We look forward to François WEISBUCH’s presentation at the end of September in Strasbourg!
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