GLOphotonics closed a Series A funding round.

GLOphotonics closed a Series A funding round, co-invested by the global operating high-tech companies DMG Mori Seiki Co and TRUMPF Lasertechnik GmbH + Co. KG.DMG Mori is a world leader in high-end precision machines and automation systems, based in Nagoya, Japan. TRUMPF is a world leader in manufacturing solutions in the fields of machine tools and laser technology based in Ditzingen, Germany. Following the investment, DMG Mori and TRUMPF strengthen the company’s capital structure around the GLOphotonics founder who remains the major shareholder. This investment will contribute to allow GLOphotonics to enter a new phase, recruit new talents, complete a state-of-the-art production facility and address industrial markets. Particularly, GLO remains committed to provide all existing and future customers and partners with a strong technology differentiator in their respective field...

As a result, the majority of today’s ultrafast laser systems generally use an array of mirrors and lenses to direct the pulses to the workpiece, a method that is both extremely complex and costly.

Unlike conventional optical fibres, however, GLOphotonics’ fibres are 'hollow core', meaning that light travels through them via either a vacuum, air or another gas. The vacuum and materials involved enable the fibres to control the exotic, non-linearity effects of ultrashort pulses, meaning integrators now have the option to deliver them to a workpiece in a flexible manner.

^{GLOphotonics’ hollow-core photonic crystal fibres enable ultrashort pulses to be transported without the need for complex mirror beam delivery paths}

‘The hollow-core fibre opens up new technical avenues for machine makers and system integrators,’ confirmed Berthold Schmidt, managing director of research and development in Trumpf’s Laser Technology division. ‘Compared to free-beam delivery, it offers a much simpler and more flexible way of guiding laser light from a pulsed beam source to its destination. This greatly simplifies processes on the shop floor.’

Trumpf intends its investment to support the ongoing development of GLOphotonics’ technology, and help the firm make it industry-ready.

Ultrfast laser manufacturer Amplitude, a long-time investor in GLOphotonics, has already integrated the firm's innovative fibre into its FIBER module.

In a press release welcoming Trumpf as new partners of GLOphotonics, the firm said: 'Amplitude believes in the power of collaboration and openness in the photonics industry, and is looking forward to working with its new partners to bring this new technology to the market.'