Holger Kern

Sr. Laser Engineer at Lumentum Switzerland AG

Zurich, Switzerland

About

• Work on high power direct-diode laser systems with high brightness (Directphotonics). • Work on Q-switched and quasi CW mode-locked laser systems (Spectra Physics). • Work on TDL based gas analyzers (SpectraSensors). • Solutions development for improvements in product design and manufacturing processes. • Transfer of new products and processes to production. • Build and qualification of prototypes against internal and customer specifications. • Failure Analysis on complex laser systems. • Formal methods of failure analysis and process validation (FMEA, SPC). • Laser application and material processing, including high precision laser scribing of silicon based semiconductor waver.

Experience

  • Sr. Laser Engineer at Lumentum Switzerland AG
    Dec 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 8 mos

  • Sr. NPI Engineer at DirectPhotonics Industries GmbH
    Oct 2011 - Nov 2016 · 5 yrs 2 mos

    • Responsible for the development, setup and transfer to production of an automated lensing machine, used for active alignment of fast axis collimator lenses in a stacked single emitter module with high power. • Involved in cross-departmental development of wavelength-combined direct-diode systems for kW power with focus of a design for manufacturability. • Prototyping of systems (Direct Process 900 & Direct Pump) and transfer to production with focus on design and process improvements. • Responsible for development and setup of production stations. • Responsible for Laboratories and Infrastructure. • Service Support.

  • Production Engineer at Spectra Sensors
    Aug 2008 - Sep 2011 · 3 yrs 2 mos

    Work on state of the art TDL based gas analyzers • Initiating and performing detailed failure analysis on items where the failure mode is not immediately obvious. • Contributing to New Product Development Projects and Design Improvement Projects on existing products through participation and administration of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Projects (FMEA).

  • Product Development Engineer at Spectra Physics
    Feb 2003 - Jul 2008 · 5 yrs 6 mos

    Design, build and characterization of Q-Switched and quasi CW mode-locked laser systems. • Strong cooperation and interaction with other engineering groups to solve a broad range of design and process issues prior to releasing new products to production. • Support manufacturing engineering with process improvements and documentation, as well as product redesign proposals to ensure and improve manufacturability and reliability. • Evaluation of field installations at customer sites; recommend modifications on design and processes to improve product performance and reliability. • Extensive experience in failure analysis on complex laser systems, utilizing FMEA and SPC. • Provide training for manufacturing and service personnel, as well as customers on laser systems. • Design of an automated test station for system diagnostic and qualification of Q-switched and quasi CW mode-locked laser systems, utilizing LabVIEW. • Developed characterization criteria for Q-switched and quasi CW mode-locked laser systems. • Extensive experience in qualification and characterization of prototype systems with respect to internal and customer specifications.

  • Research Assistant at LMTB Berlin
    Aug 2002 - Jan 2003 · 6 mos

    Integration and test of material processing systems, utilizing solid state laser systems. • Diploma Thesis: Laser micro drilling in ceramic based substrates using a Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser system. • Development of a Q-Switched and birefringence compensated Nd:YAG dual rod laser system for high beam quality. • Laser system characterization and integration into a XYZ motion control system for material processing. • High precision laser scribing of silicon based semiconductor waver. • Parameter studies on various waver, metallic and ceramic materials, using a variety of solid state laser systems.