Lumentum Launches PicoBlade® Core: A Compact, Ultrafast Laser Platform Revolutionizing Precision Micromachining for Next-Generation Manufacturing
Lumentum Holdings Inc. (“Lumentum”), a global leader in photonic innovations and optical technologies, has unveiled its groundbreaking ultrafast laser platform, PicoBlade® Core, marking a pivotal advancement in the evolution of precision industrial micromachining. This state-of-the-art platform is designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern manufacturing environments, combining ultrafast processing speed with unrivaled compactness, configurability, and operational reliability.
The PicoBlade Core redefines what’s possible in laser micromachining with a product that is significantly lighter and more space-efficient than its predecessor. Weighing just one-third and occupying only half the volume of the prior PicoBlade 3 platform, the Core version makes integration into a broad range of production lines easier and more cost-effective. This level of innovation extends Lumentum’s legacy of engineering excellence and addresses the increasingly complex requirements of industries such as semiconductor fabrication, consumer electronics, photovoltaics, and battery manufacturing.
A Strategic Leap Forward in Industrial Laser Technology
PicoBlade Core is the result of years of research, technological refinement, and a deep understanding of industry demands. The platform offers high-performance capabilities across infrared (IR), green, and ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, making it one of the most versatile solutions in the market today. It is available in high-power, mid-power, and low-power configurations, allowing manufacturers to tailor its use across a broad spectrum of applications—from delicate micro-drilling to aggressive surface structuring.
According to Lumentum, the product is currently being sampled by select global customers and will make its public debut at Laser World of Photonics 2025, one of the most prestigious global gatherings for the photonics industry. The event will be held in Munich from June 24–27, where Lumentum will showcase PicoBlade Core at Stand 337 in Hall A2.
“Today’s precision manufacturers demand more—faster scalability, better integration, and lower cost of ownership, all without compromising performance,” stated Matt Philpott, Chief Commercial Officer of the Industrial Tech Platform at Lumentum. “PicoBlade Core embodies that vision, offering a breakthrough platform that will accelerate the next wave of advanced precision manufacturing worldwide.”
Technical Innovations at the Core
The PicoBlade Core platform brings together multiple industry-leading technologies and features that together form a powerful, flexible, and intelligent laser micromachining toolset. Below is an in-depth look at the core technical highlights of the platform:
1. Ultrafast, High-Power Laser Output
- Up to 150 watts of average power enables the high-speed processing of challenging materials like metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.
- With an ultra-short pulse width of <12 picoseconds and a repetition rate of up to 8 MHz, the laser ensures minimized thermal impact and enhanced precision.
- A maximum pulse energy of 375 microjoules supports energy-intensive operations such as drilling, cutting, and ablating thick or highly reflective materials.
2. Multi-Wavelength Capability
PicoBlade Core is available in three wavelength ranges:
- Infrared (IR): Ideal for deeper penetration and processing thicker materials.
- Green: Optimal for reflective or semitransparent substrates like copper or glass.
- Ultraviolet (UV): Tailored for ultra-fine feature creation and cold ablation applications.
Each wavelength option comes in the same unified, compact housing, allowing easy swapping or upgrading based on production requirements.
3. Compact Unified Architecture
One of the hallmark features of the PicoBlade Core is its standardized, compact form factor across all wavelength and power levels. This consistent hardware profile:
- Simplifies machine integration and alignment
- Reduces space consumption in crowded production environments
- Accelerates time-to-market for OEMs and system integrators
4. Closed-Loop Power Control
The platform incorporates real-time, closed-loop power control mechanisms that actively monitor and stabilize the laser’s energy output. This translates to:
- Exceptional pulse-to-pulse energy consistency
- Improved long-term stability and uptime
- Enhanced yield and repeatability across production batches
5. Integrated Nonlinear Optics
The system features built-in harmonic generation modules, allowing seamless internal conversion of fundamental IR wavelengths into green or UV without requiring external add-ons. This results in:
- Greater optical efficiency
- Lower system complexity
- Fewer alignment issues and maintenance interruptions
6. Intelligent Beam Shaping Tools
The platform integrates a beam shaper, providing precise control over laser spot size and profile. By tuning the energy distribution across the beam, manufacturers can:
- Reduce heat-affected zones (HAZ)
- Achieve cleaner edges and surfaces
- Extend component life by minimizing microfractures
7. Advanced Pulse Modulation Tools
The PicoBlade Core is engineered with several proprietary pulse-shaping and modulation technologies:
- AccuTrig™ ensures ultra-precise pulse timing for critical operations
- MegaBurst™ delivers pulse trains at microsecond-level intervals, ideal for material ablation
- FlexBurst™ enables the creation of customized pulse envelopes for specialized applications like high-aspect-ratio drilling and multi-material processing
“PicoBlade Core delivers high precision, stability, and configurability, setting a new standard for the industry,” said Dr. Kirk Price, Chief Technology Officer of the Industrial Tech Platform at Lumentum. “Its fully integrated architecture, multi-wavelength capability, and advanced beam shaping establish a new benchmark for ultrafast industrial processing.”
Enabling Applications Across Industries
Thanks to its technical versatility, PicoBlade Core is positioned to address a wide array of industrial use cases:
1. Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
- Clean, burr-free cutting of flexible and rigid PCBs
- Via drilling with micron-level accuracy
- Fine-pattern structuring of copper and dielectric layers
2. Battery Cell Manufacturing
- Precise electrode cutting and structuring
- Micron-level ablation for high-energy-density lithium-ion cells
- Contactless processing for safety-critical battery components
3. Solar Cells
- Front-side and rear-side contact structuring
- Edge isolation and scribing
- Processing of next-generation tandem and thin-film solar architectures
4. Consumer Electronics
- OLED and micro-LED display structuring
- Back cover and front glass etching
- Camera module and sensor processing
5. Semiconductors
- Dicing of wafers and substrates
- Laser marking and defect repair
- MEMS and microfluidic device fabrication
With one platform, manufacturers can optimize operations for a broad range of materials, including metals, ceramics, semiconductors, glass, polymers, and composites, while maintaining tight tolerances and high throughput.
A Global Platform for the Next Generation of Manufacturing
The introduction of PicoBlade Core comes at a time when industrial producers across the globe are grappling with increasingly complex requirements: smaller component sizes, more intricate geometries, material diversity, and higher environmental standards. Lumentum’s new platform provides a future-proof solution that addresses these shifting dynamics with precision, efficiency, and operational simplicity.
Its compact footprint, coupled with robust software control and scalability, makes it an ideal choice for integration into Industry 4.0 environments, including automated production lines, robotic assembly stations, and AI-optimized manufacturing cells.
Experience PicoBlade Core Firsthand
Lumentum is inviting industry professionals, engineers, system designers, and OEMs to experience PicoBlade Core at the Laser World of Photonics 2025 exhibition in Munich. The company’s booth (Hall A2, Stand 337) will feature:
- Live product demonstrations
- Application case studies and performance data
- One-on-one discussions with Lumentum engineers and solution architects
- Explorations of custom configuration options
Attendees will have the opportunity to see how PicoBlade Core’s capabilities translate into higher production yields, lower total cost of ownership, and greater design freedom.
About Lumentum
Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LITE) is a global provider of photonics solutions that make innovation possible for leading brands in networking, industrial, and commercial technologies. From advanced optical networking and laser systems to imaging and sensing components, Lumentum’s products play a foundational role in some of the world’s most advanced technologies.
With PicoBlade Core, the company reinforces its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what photonics can achieve—not just in labs and R&D centers, but on real-world factory floors, powering tomorrow’s breakthroughs in manufacturing.
