Cutting Edge Optronics

Innovation & Remarkable Growth: Cutting Edge Optronics’ 2024 Success Story

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April 1, 2025

Innovation & Remarkable Growth: Cutting Edge Optronics’ 2024 Success Story

In 2024, Cutting Edge Optronics discovered that relentless growth isn’t about playing it safe, it’s about making bold moves. The company set a new record in annual revenue, which has doubled over the past five years. With an employee count at > 115 and growing, the company had its best performance in its 30+ year history across all key metrics. Reaching this record is only the beginning. It reinforces the dedication to building a resilient, agile organization prepared for future challenges and opportunities.

“Our strong performance over the past several years has been an amazing process to be a part of,” said Scott Mize, CEO General Manager. “We are focused on robust, long term customer relationships, providing high quality innovative solutions and service tailored to our customers’ needs. We have the best team in the industry, making CEO the place we most want to work. Every employee knows that if our customers are successful, then CEO is successful.”

CEO's laser optronic laboratory — Cutting Edge Optronics Patara Laser Manufacturing Lab, St. Charles, MO

Not only has Cutting Edge Optronics achieved financial milestones, it has also built the most diversified customer base and market presence in its history, supplying both original manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users with cutting-edge laser solutions. By expanding into new markets and industries, the company has strengthened its position, ensuring long-term stability.

“We couldn’t have done any of this without our customers,” said Ryan Feeler, CTO /
Director of Business Development. “I am continually impressed with their innovative
spirit and have enjoyed watching many of their products grow and mature, with our diode
arrays and lasers as a driving force.”

As Cutting Edge Optronics moves forward, it remains focused on expanding its product offerings, enhancing manufacturing efficiency, and continuing to push boundaries in a variety of commercial, industrial, medical, and military/aerospace industries. The focus will be to set standards for innovation, growth, and customer engagement.

For information about employment opportunities at Cutting Edge Optronics, visit our careers website.

All Diode-pumped 10 Hz 7 Joule Nanosecond 527nm Laser for Optical Parametric Chirped Pulse Amplifier (OPCPA) Pump

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Bimal

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April 1, 2025

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All Diode-pumped 10 Hz 7 Joule Nanosecond 527nm Laser for Optical Parametric Chirped Pulse Amplifier (OPCPA) Pump

Cutting Edge Optronics has demonstrated a 7J, 527nm, 10Hz laser with a 4ns pulse
width and square temporal profile, ideally suited to Optical Parametric Chirped Pulse
Amplification (OPCPA) pumping. DPSS laser technology provides tremendous
advantages over lamp-pumped lasers in meeting the stringent requirements of OPCPA
pump lasers. In particular, the spatial and temporal profiles, the short-term and long-
term pulse energy stability, and the low wavefront distortion of the DPSS laser are an
excellent fit.

By utilizing high quality Nd:YLF crystals and MRF technology, the TWD was minimized
to obtain superior beam quality. The output is nearly diffraction limited with a diameter of
22mm and full angle divergence of ~0.1 mrad at 1053nm. Due to the unique properties
of Nd:YLF, the laser has weak thermal lensing and thermal distortion. This allows
flexibility in its operational frequency. A repetition rate of 10Hz was achieved with a
timing jitter of less than 25ps rms. The beam uniformity over an aperture capturing 90%
of the energy was 7.2% rms. The second harmonic output was generated by a
25x25x15 mm type-I LBO crystal with a conversion efficiency of 78% from a 9.1J,
1053nm output. Output pulse energy stability was 0.45% rms over 10 hours.

Download Paper

Overall, the laser performance results demonstrated that an all diode-pumped Nd:YLF
laser is an excellent solution for the requirements of OPCPA pumping. See additional
information below.

CEO Develops Er:YAG Laser Module

CEO Laser

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February 19, 2025

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Cutting Edge Optronics (CEO) recently built and tested one of their industry standard REA diode-
pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser modules with an Er:YAG rod as the gain medium and pumped with in-house-manufactured 97Xnm laser diodes. The Er:YAG rod was provided by Northrop Grumman
SYNOPTICS. The module’s laser emission wavelength is 2.94μm, which is highly absorbed by water
and hydroxyapatite. A laser at this wavelength has a variety of applications in the medical and
scientific laser communities such as dental surgery, wart removal, the cutting of bone and soft
tissue, as well as for pumping mid-wave IR lasers.

Test results from an REA module with a 5mm diameter rod and quasi-continuous-wave (QCW)
pumping of the laser diodes are shown below. The gain of Er:YAG is much lower than typical Nd:YAG
systems. The best output coupler reflectivity to maximize output power was 95% in a short cavity of
280mm length with a flat high reflector. Fluorescence imaging of the 2.94um emission showed
good uniformity of absorbed diode light (see Figure 1.) Imaging the output coupler, a uniform beam
profile was observed (see Figure 2.)

Figure 3 shows output energies per pulse obtained during short cavity testing for various pulse
widths. With the same duty cycle, the module was tested at 500μs, 1ms, and 1.5ms. Efficiencies of
pump energy to output energy of 19%, 22%, and 18% were obtained for 500μs, 1ms, and 1.5ms
respectively. The energy level dynamics of the Er:YAG system is complex. Due to thermally driven
effects, the tail end of the optical pulse fell off for pulse widths longer than 1ms. This explains the
reduction in efficiency for 1.5ms pulses. At 15Hz and 1ms, a maximum average output power of
70W was obtained. The maximum output energies per pulse obtained for 500μs, 1ms, and 1.5ms
were 2J, 4.67J, and 5.66J, respectively.

Figure 3. Er:YAG Output Energy vs. Pump Energy for Various Repetition Rates

Due to the high quantum defect in Er:YAG, thermal lensing is an important consideration when
building an Er:YAG laser. The power of the thermal lens in this module was measured to be 0.012
diopters per watt of average pump power plus a baseline of 0.173 diopters above the threshold.
The successful testing of a new Er:YAG, 5mm diameter side pumped rod laser module was
performed, with output pulse energies of up to 5.5J and average powers exceeding 50W achieved.
This module is based on the CEO’s industry-proven REA laser module series designs used for the past
several decades as oscillators and amplifiers in a variety of DPSS laser applications. These
modules are typically rated for lifetimes greater than 10 billion pulses, which exceeds the projected
lifetime of medical equipment in many environments.

Cutting Edge Optronics: 30 Years of Laser Technology Innovation

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CEO Laser

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February 5, 2025

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Cutting Edge Optronics: 30 Years of Laser Technology Innovation

For 30 years, Cutting Edge Optronics has been at the forefront of laser technology, manufacturing high-performance laser diode arrays and DPSS laser systems for diverse applications, from laser hair removal and solid-state laser pumping to cutting-edge LIDAR systems. CEO combines precision engineering with tailored solutions to meet your needs.

CEO’s High Energy Laser (2J, 10Hz, 532nm) Used in ELI-Beamlines Machine Learning Experiment

CEO Laser

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December 4, 2024

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CEO’s High Energy Laser (2J, 10Hz, 532nm) Used in ELI-Beamlines Machine Learning Experiment

The CPL-020-QSG, a 2J, 10Hz, 532nm pump laser, was the first of many high-pulse energy laser systems (HELs) designed and manufactured by Cutting Edge Optronics (CEO) at their St. Charles, MO facility. The laser is a key component of the High-repetition-rate Advanced Petawatt Laser System (HAPLS), designed and built by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and installed and operating as an important part of the European Union’s Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) Beamlines facility based just outside of Prague, Czechia.

Built ten years ago, the CPL-020-QSG continues to perform flawlessly at its specified operational level, as demonstrated in one recent experiment described in this article from Optics.org. An excerpt from the article reads, “The lead researcher at LLNL, Matthew Hill, explained, “Our goal was to demonstrate robust diagnosis of laser-accelerated ions and electrons from solid targets at a high intensity and repetition rate. Supported by rapid feedback from a machine-learning optimisation algorithm to the laser front end, it was possible to maximise the total ion yield of the system.”

A brief history of the CPL-020-QSG

CEO delivered the CPL-020-QSG to LLNL in Livermore, California in late 2014, where it was installed and commissioned in early 2015. LLNL is renowned for having achieved fusion ‘ignition’ at its National Ignition Facility (NIF), where more fusion energy is generated than the amount of laser energy delivered to the target; an important step towards the dream of ‘clean’ nuclear fusion power.

CPL-020-QSG is used as a pump laser in LLNL’s Ti:Sapphire chirped-pulse amplifier (CPA). “HAPLS is designed to ultimately generate a peak power greater than 1 petawatt (1015 or 1 quadrillion watts), with each pulse delivering 30 joules of energy in less than 30 femtoseconds (trillionths of a second or 0.00000000000003 seconds)—the time it takes light to travel a fraction of the width of a human hair. […] Delivering more than 1 petawatt at this extreme repetition rate is a major advancement over current petawatt systems, which cannot fire more often than once per second.” (LLNL, 2014).

Video of HAPLS in 2014 (Source: LLNL)

LLNL incorporated the CPL-020-QSG into the HAPLS in California and then shipped the entire HAPLS system to the ELI Beamlines facility, where it has been operational since 2018 for studying laser-matter interactions, laser-driven secondary sources, and fundamental physics at ultrahigh light intensities.

Present Day

Today, the CPL-020-QSG is still pumping the CPA in HAPLS at ELI Beamlines and performing cutting-edge scientific research, with very little realignment necessary between shipments from Missouri to California to Czechia, or thereafter. Its stability, reliability, and long lifetime prove that all-diode pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers are a key component of high repetition rate, high energy laser systems. Over the past ten years, CEO has continued to innovate in the field of DPSS HELs. In 2024, CEO delivered its latest in a long line of high energy lasers to Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, the CPL-070-QSF: a 7J, 10Hz, 527nm, 4ns temporally shaped pulse OPCPA pump laser.

Read about CEO’s HELs in this white paper. Even higher pulse energies and faster repetition rates are on the horizon at CEO.

Faming Xu, Ph.D. Will Present at ICUIL

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CEO Laser

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August 21, 2024

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Faming Xu, Ph.D. will present a poster entitled “All Diode-pumped 10 Hz 7 Joule Nanosecond Optical Parametric Chirped Pulse Amplifier (OPCPA) Pump Laser” at the 2024 International Conference on Ultrahigh Intensity Lasers (ICUIL) later this year.

Dr. Faming Xu is a Senior Principal Laser Scientist focused on Diode Pumped Solid-State (DPSS) Lasers with Cutting Edge Optronics (CEO). With over 16 years of experience at CEO, Dr. Xu has made significant contributions to the field, notably leading the development of the Patara laser and custom, high-energy Gigashot laser product lines. His most recent achievement at CEO is discussed in the poster – this 7J, 527nm DPSS laser has the highest green pulse energy output of any high-energy lasers (HELs) manufactured and installed to date by CEO. It has a 4ns pulse width with a square temporal profile at 10Hz, and will be used for OPCPA pumping in the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory’s petawatt laser at the Extreme Photonics Applications Center (EPAC) in the United Kingdom.

This poster describes the design of this laser, which is a classic master oscillator, power amplifier (MOPA) layout. The laser pulse was temporally tailored from a CW single mode 1053nm fiber laser by an Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG). A serrated aperture was used to generate flat-top beam profile, which was relay-imaged and amplified through six amplifiers with rod diameters of 12mm to 25.4mm. The output is nearly diffraction limited with a diameter of 22mm and full angle divergence of ~0.1 mrad at 1053nm. The beam uniformity over an aperture capturing 90% of the energy was measured at 7.2% rms. The second harmonic output conversion efficiency was 78% from a 9.1J, 1053nm laser. The repetition rate of 10Hz was achieved with a timing jitter of less than 25ps rms.

ICUIL brings together researchers focusing on ultrahigh-intensity laser science and technology and will be held on the island of Cozumel, Mexico, from September 9th to 13th, 2024. The Comité Territorial de Óptica de México, A. C., the Mexican Territorial Committee within the International Commission for Optics, organizes the conference. CEO’s Donna Berns will also be in attendance at ICUIL.

A New Age of High Energy Lasers

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CEO Laser

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March 21, 2024

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This paper provides a general overview of Cutting Edge Optronics’ high energy laser design approach and system architecture. It then dives deeper into the technical details of example high energy DPSS laser systems installed around the world. Output pulse energies range from 0.5 J to 10 J, with average output powers of 20 W to 200 W, repetition rates from 5 Hz to 50 Hz, and output wavelengths in both green and infrared.

Fill out the below form to download the paper

Cutting Edge Optronics Makes Strides Against Breast Cancer

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CEO Laser

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December 5, 2023

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A team of employees from Cutting Edge Optronics (CEO) in St. Charles, Missouri, united to support lifesaving breast cancer research and support services in the “Making Strides in St. Louis” American Cancer Society event in late October. They raised more than $4,750 for the cause, far surpassing their fundraising goal.

Top Row (Left to Right): Kyle Crowe, Jeremiah Robinson-Lowe, Scott Mize, Kellie Bergschneider, Jessica Shoemaker, Toni Voorheis, Kaci Loggia, Patrick Johnson. Bottom Row (Left to Right): Betsy Mize, Charlene Pittman, Jenna Borton, Brandy Nugent.

"Too many of my family members have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Fortunately, all have fought and survived but I know that isn’t always the case for others. Participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk allowed me another avenue to help support those directly impacted by cancer, and hopefully make the fight easier for those who are continuing to battle. Getting to support this cause with the Cutting Edge Optronics/ Northrop Grumman team made it even more meaningful."
Kellie Bergschneider, Principal HR Business Partner

A glimpse of the CEO team participating in the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk, which took place on October 21st in St. Louis, MO.

I participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk to continue to help bring awareness to not only breast cancer, but all types of cancer. It is important to support those that have been impacted directly and indirectly from this terrible illness. It is also important to recognize the survivors who were able to fight back against cancer and demonstrate that the impossible is very much possible.
Pat Johnson, Manager Production-Process Operations

Participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk made me feel good, especially since one of my best friends and co-workers is a survivor!! It was a fun day filled with laughter and hugs. Can’t wait to participate again next year! Team CEO/Northrop Grumman Rocks!!
Toni Voorheis, Assembler

I walk for my mom, my friends and all the people that have or will be diagnosed with cancer. The fight is never over, so standing and walking side by side all these amazing people is a reminder to everyone that they are not alone. Every walk we get closer to a cure, and I will never give up hope! Team CEO will be back next year, and we want to raise the bar and awareness.
Kaci Loggia, Manager Production Planning Scheduling

Left to Right: Jessica Shoemaker, Charlene Pittman

Participating in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer was very fulfilling as it is for a very important cause that has impacted most of us in different ways. It was terrific to see the employees of Cutting Edge Optronics demonstrate once again their commitment to each other, family, friends and community for such a meaningful cause in line with Northrop Grumman’s outstanding support. Go Team CEO!
Scott Mize, CEO Director

I participated in this Walk because I love helping others!
Charlene Pittman, Assembler

High-Energy Laser Modules for Medical Applications

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CEO Laser

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December 5, 2023

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High-Energy Laser Modules for Medical Applications

Cutting Edge Optronics (CEO) has recently experienced an increase in business in the medical laser market due to the capability and reliability of our pulsed laser modules.

According to Ryan Feeler, CTO and Director of Business Development, “We’ve seen a real change in our customer base over the past ten years. A decade ago, they were mostly engaged in a lot of low-volume, development work. Now we have several customers who have moved into production with equipment used for eye surgery, vein treatment, kidney stone removal, and other applications that are beneficial to patients. Work continues on a number of other fronts as well.” CEO manufactures high-energy, pulsed, Nd:YAG and Nd:YLF modules with rod diameters from 2-30mm and stored energies from 100mJ to 10J. CEO also supplies modules with laser diodes tailored for Er:YAG pumping. It is at the low end of this parameter space where Medical Equipment Manufacturers are integrating these units in high volume.

“Medical Equipment Manufacturers are very demanding of all hardware they integrate into their systems,” said Feeler. “This is especially true of the laser modules they use as oscillators and amplifiers.”

CEO’s laser modules are typically rated for lifetimes greater than 10 billion pulses. This exceeds the projected lifetime of a piece of equipment in many environments. For extremely demanding applications with high utilization rates, steps are taken to derate the modules which leads to even greater lifetimes. CEO works with each Medical Equipment Manufacturer to select the module that best meets their needs at an appropriate price point. If the ideal module does not yet exist, CEO is happy to design one, as the company excels in working with new customers from prototype to volume production.

Sub-Compact Laser Diodes for Stringent SWAP Requirements

CEO Laser

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December 5, 2023

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Sub-Compact Laser Diodes for Stringent SWAP Requirements

The number of hand-held/compact portable LIDAR, medical and material analysis laser applications has seen steady growth over the past several years. Over this period, the size, weight, and power (SWAP) requirements of the hand-held systems have continued to shrink while their performance requirements have continued to increase. Whether these systems utilize laser sources such as direct laser diode or diode pumped laser materials such as Nd:YAG and Er:Glass, the need for sub-compact laser diode packaging has continued to grow.

To support these hand-held applications CEO offers are wide variety of standard sub-compact conductively-cooled laser diode packages that are substantially smaller and more lightweight than their “A” style, “G” style, and “CS” style counterparts. These laser diode packages can be used with CEO’s high-performance 5 mm and 10 mm wide laser diode bars (790 nm – 980 nm) over operating temperatures from -40 °C to +80 °C. Additionally, as the manufacturers of hand-held laser systems need to engineer ever more complex system geometries to shrink the overall system SWAP of their systems, the need for customized laser diode packing becomes even more important. CEO offers customized laser diode packages to meet the stringent SWAP requirements of today’s and tomorrow’s OEM manufacturer’s needs.

“We have a long history of developing custom laser diode solutions for our customers. These frequently turn into products that we deliver to those specific customers for years or decades in support of commercial products or specific military programs. Walking side-by-side with these customers through the development, prototype, and production phases is one of the greatest strengths of CEO’s Engineering and Operations teams.” – Ryan Feeler, CTO and Director of Business Development.

Innovation & Remarkable Growth: Cutting Edge Optronics’ 2024 Success Story

All Diode-pumped 10 Hz 7 Joule Nanosecond 527nm Laser for Optical Parametric Chirped Pulse Amplifier (OPCPA) Pump

CEO Develops Er:YAG Laser Module

Cutting Edge Optronics: 30 Years of Laser Technology Innovation

CEO’s High Energy Laser (2J, 10Hz, 532nm) Used in ELI-Beamlines Machine Learning Experiment

Faming Xu, Ph.D. Will Present at ICUIL

A New Age of High Energy Lasers

Fill out the below form to download the paper

Cutting Edge Optronics Makes Strides Against Breast Cancer

High-Energy Laser Modules for Medical Applications

Sub-Compact Laser Diodes for Stringent SWAP Requirements

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