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AUGUST 2020 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 75 viding direct control over the quality and opti- cal characteristics of this critical component, and enabling us to achieve longer lifetime, im- proved performance and reduced cost of own- ership. Lifetime is further maximized by the use of a built-in crystal shifter which contains a map of the actual crystal in the laser, and the location of 20 pre-qualified third-harmonic generation spots (with over 1000 hours lifetime per spot) within it. Contamination of the optics is a key limit- ing factor in the lifetime of UV lasers. AVIA LX lasers are manufactured in a cleanroom, and the internal optics that are directly exposed to UV light are contained within a PureUV-sealed compartment to prevent contamination in ac- tual use. This maximizes lifetime and service intervals. Furthermore, this laser is based on an ex- tremely robust industrial design, which has been validated by HASS and HALT (high ac- celerated life testing). In HALT prototypes are iteratively tested to destruction, re-designed, and retested to eliminate any inherent weak- nesses. Highly accelerated stress screening (HASS) then stresses actual production units beyond their specified operating environment. This protocol screens out any deficiencies in manufacturing and packaging. The result is unmatched product reliability and lifetime. AVIA LX is also designed with ease-of-inte- gration and ease-of-use in mind. For instance, integration is simplified using built-in control electronics and an integrated beam expander. The use of water cooling maximizes lifetime and pulse-to-pulse stability, even when operat- ing at high power. Conclusion The Coherent AVIA LX laser, together with novel pulse control technology, has demon- strated superior results for PCB depaneling as compared to traditional mechanical process- es, and even previously available nanosecond pulse width UV DPSS laser sources. It should prove a useful source for a variety of the fab- rication processes required for next-generation microelectronic devices, including cutting of traditional PCBs and flex circuitry, SP cutting and trenching, and EMI shielding cutting. PCB007 Frank Gäbler is director of product marketing at the DPSS Business Unit of Coherent in Luebeck, Germany. He holds a Dipl.-Ing. manufacturing technology degree from FhG, Institute of Lasertechnik, RWTH in Aachen, Germany, and has over 25 years of experience in industrial applications of laser technology. He can be reached at frankgaebler@coherent.com.