In a groundbreaking development for the photonics and energy sectors, Coherent Corp. has unveiled the LEAP 600C, the industry’s first 600-watt class excimer laser optimized for Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) at a 308 nm wavelength. This innovation was introduced on June 18, 2025, at the Laser World of Photonics event in Munich, Germany, marking a significant milestone for high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape production, a critical component in advancing fusion energy and medical technology.
The LEAP 600C represents a major leap forward in laser technology, delivering double the laser power and throughput compared to existing solutions. Its novel on-the-fly active injection technology extends runtime by a factor of three, a feature designed to meet the accelerating demand for HTS tapes used in magnetic confinement fusion, medical imaging, and next-generation power grids. These tapes are essential for enabling magnetic confinement fusion, which is rapidly becoming a cornerstone in zero-carbon energy strategies worldwide.
Dr. Kai Schmidt, Senior Vice President of Coherent’s Excimer Laser Business Unit, emphasized the significance of this advancement: “The LEAP 600C enables the industrial scale-up of HTS tape production, which is critical to achieving net-energy fusion milestones within this decade.” This statement underscores the laser's role in scaling production to meet the ambitious goals of fusion energy development, a field that has recently attracted billions in investment following promising technological breakthroughs.
The LEAP 600C builds on Coherent’s proven LEAP excimer platform, which already offers versions operating at 193 nm, 248 nm, and 308 nm wavelengths with output powers up to 600 W. Known for its high duty-cycle performance and low cost of ownership, the LEAP platform supports diverse industrial manufacturing applications, including display production and reel-to-reel superconducting tape processing.
Among the deposition methods available, PLD is prized for providing unmatched film quality, which is crucial for the performance and reliability of HTS tapes. These tapes are not only pivotal for fusion reactors but also find applications in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, accelerator magnets, and next-generation power grid components. By delivering the power, uptime, and reliability required for large-scale production, the LEAP 600C addresses a key bottleneck in the supply chain for these advanced technologies.
The first LEAP 600C unit has already been successfully tested at a leading HTS manufacturer, validating its performance and reliability in real-world production environments. Coherent plans to begin limited production in late 2025, with general availability expected in 2026, positioning the company at the forefront of the expanding HTS tape market.
The launch of the LEAP 600C comes at a time when the global energy landscape is rapidly evolving. Magnetic confinement fusion is gaining traction as a viable and sustainable energy source, and HTS tapes are central to making fusion reactors efficient and commercially feasible. The increased throughput and extended runtime offered by the LEAP 600C will facilitate the industrial-scale manufacturing necessary to meet growing demand.
Beyond energy, the medical imaging sector stands to benefit significantly from this technology. MRI machines rely on HTS tapes to generate powerful magnetic fields, and improved production capabilities could lead to more accessible and advanced imaging technologies. Similarly, next-generation power grids, which require efficient and reliable superconducting components, will find the LEAP 600C’s capabilities indispensable.
Financially, Coherent’s innovation has not gone unnoticed. The company’s stock ($COHR) has seen notable activity among institutional investors and members of Congress. Over the past six months, members of Congress have made three purchases of $COHR stock, with Senator Markwayne Mullin acquiring shares worth up to $115,000. Insider trading activity, however, has consisted solely of sales, with executives like Shaker Sadasivam and Christopher Koeppen selling significant shares.
Institutional investors have shown mixed movements: while 320 investors increased their holdings, 355 decreased theirs in the most recent quarter. Major players such as Wellington Management Group LLP and Point72 Asset Management have notably increased their positions, indicating confidence in Coherent’s growth potential amid the launch of the LEAP 600C.
Wall Street analysts have responded positively to Coherent’s advancements. Four firms have issued buy or equivalent ratings recently, including Citigroup with a "Buy" rating on June 3, 2025, Barclays with an "Overweight" rating on May 28, 2025, Morgan Stanley with a "Positive" rating on May 23, 2025, and Raymond James with a "Strong Buy" rating dating back to March 24, 2025. Price targets for $COHR stock have been set between $85 and $91, reflecting optimism about the company’s future prospects.
Coherent’s strategic focus on expanding its LEAP platform to meet the needs of high-growth markets such as fusion energy, medical imaging, and power grids highlights its commitment to driving innovation. The LEAP 600C not only addresses a critical production bottleneck but also positions the company as a key player in the emerging fusion energy supply chain, potentially accelerating revenue streams as the sector matures.
As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, technologies like the LEAP 600C are vital. They enable the mass production of components that could make fusion energy a practical reality within this decade, alongside enhancing medical and power infrastructure. Coherent’s latest laser system exemplifies how photonics innovation continues to intersect with some of the most pressing technological challenges of our time.
With production slated to begin later this year and broader availability in 2026, the LEAP 600C is set to become a cornerstone technology for industries at the forefront of energy transition and advanced medical applications. Coherent’s blend of proven technology and cutting-edge enhancements ensures that it remains a leader in photonics, empowering market innovators to define the future through breakthrough materials and systems.
