The side effects of the CD Laboratory were particularly important

CDG: How did your company benefit from participating in the CD Laboratory?
Assion: As is often the case in basic research, the side effects of the CD Laboratory were particularly important, in this case the scientific basis for the further development of oscillators for ultra-short pulse technology and thus for research in the field of attosecond lasers. The company has now withdrawn from the development of OCT devices due to a strategic realignment. 

CDG: Is there still a connection between your current products and the research conducted at the CD Laboratory?
Assion: The Femtopower amplifier was launched on the market in 2001 as a product of FEMTOLASERS, further developed, and in 2005 the first systems with carrier envelope phase stabilisation (CEP) were delivered. These are the amplifiers that can be used to generate attosecond pulses. The Femtopower CEP systems are still being produced at the Vienna site today, even after the takeover by MKS. In 2024, the further development of CEP technology will be completed in collaboration with our colleagues at the Milpitas/California site.

CDG: What did you find particularly positive about the CD Laboratory funding model?
Assion: Especially for a relatively small, fast-growing company like FEMTOLASERS was at the time, close collaboration with the scientific community offers decisive advantages in terms of market competitiveness. The CD model is a big plus for innovative smaller companies in Austria.