What Xiton Photonics does

Xiton Photonics GmbH is a privately held German laser manufacturer, founded in 2004 and headquartered in Kaiserslautern, specializing in diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser systems paired with nonlinear optical frequency conversion. Its core technology generates wavelengths from 185 nm in the deep-ultraviolet to 5 µm in the mid-infrared, covering a spectral range broader than most competitors in the niche. The product portfolio comprises eight named series — IXION 193 SLM (semiconductor metrology), SLM Series, EXCITE Series (single-frequency UV), IMPRESS 213 (FBG production workhorse), IDOL Series, IXDICE and IXDICE ULTRA 1342 (high-rep-rate silicon processing), and Custom Made Lasers — plus collaborative custom development for non-standard wavelengths. Key technical features include spectral bandwidth under 30 MHz on single-frequency models, pulse-to-pulse stability below 2%, and pulse repetition rates up to 200 kHz on the IXDICE platform.

The company sells exclusively through an indirect channel of 12 country-specific distribution partners across EMEA, North America, and Asia-Pacific, with no direct sales force; revenue therefore derives from hardware sales of laser systems and custom development projects. Customer end-markets are vertically segmented: semiconductor (wafer inspection, 193 nm stepper calibration, stealth dicing, IC trimming), optical industry (fiber Bragg grating production), broad industrial manufacturing (metrology, lithography, LIDAR, Raman spectroscopy, diamond/sapphire marking), and research institutions (Max Planck, Fraunhofer). Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The business is led by three managing directors (Dr. Jürgen Bartschke, Thorsten Bauer, Dr. Martin Nittmann) and has been financed primarily through operating cash flow and InnoTop/EFRE public R&D grants, with no disclosed equity funding rounds.

Name

Xiton Photonics

Legal name

Xiton Photonics GmbH

Website

https://xiton-photonics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Xiton Photonics is a German specialty laser manufacturer designing diode-pumped solid-state systems with nonlinear optics, covering 185 nm deep-UV to 5 µm mid-IR wavelengths for semiconductor, optical, industrial manufacturing, and research customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Laser Systems

NAICS

Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Solid-state lasers
• DPSS laser systems
• UV laser sources
• Nonlinear optics
• Fiber Bragg gratings

Headquarters

HQ city

Kaiserslautern

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Laser System Hardware Sales: Sale of DPSS laser systems including SLM Series, EXCITE Series, IXION 193 SLM, IMPRESS 213, IDOL Series, IXDICE series, and custom-made systems. Products are sold with various configurations optimized for specific industrial applications.
2. Professional Services: Installation, product training, maintenance, and quick services worldwide. Consulting services to ensure optimal product selection for customer applications.
3. Custom Development: Development of non-standard special systems, from development prototypes to finalized serial products including software. Collaborative development of lasers and nonlinear systems.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Xiton Photonics develops and manufactures diode pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser systems paired with nonlinear optics, generating wavelengths from 185 nm in the deep UV to 5 µm in the mid-infrared. The company offers application-specific laser solutions for semiconductor processing, fiber Bragg grating production, metrology, lithography, and scientific research, supplemented by installation, training, maintenance, and custom development services.

Product overview

Xiton Photonics offers a portfolio of diode pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser systems paired with nonlinear optics, generating wavelengths from 185 nm deep UV to 5 micrometers mid infrared. The product lineup comprises the IXION 193 SLM for semiconductor metrology, the SLM Series (available in 213/266/355/532/1064 nm variants) for applications requiring spectral bandwidth and coherence, the EXCITE Series (266/355/532/1064 nm) as a compact alternative for UV applications, the IMPRESS 213 for fiber Bragg grating production, the IDOL Series (1342/671/447 nm) for marking and silicon processing, the IXDICE and IXDICE ULTRA 1342 (18W) for high-power wafer cutting and stealth dicing, and Custom Made Lasers for non-standard requirements. All products share core technologies of diode pumping, Q-switching, and nonlinear frequency conversion, enabling the company to engineer client-specific solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IXION 193 SLM Single-frequency all-solid-state laser system for optical metrology, calibration of 193 nm stepper optics, and bandwidth control of high power ArF excimer lasers. Features coherence length exceeding 2 meters, customizable center wavelength between 190 and 195 nm, and optional integrated high precision wavemeter. Targets semiconductor metrology applications.
• SLM Series Single frequency DPSS laser series with high peak power for efficient frequency conversion to deep UV. Available in five wavelengths: 213 nm, 266 nm, 355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm. Optimized for applications where spectral bandwidth or coherence length matter.
• EXCITE Series New generation single frequency all-solid-state laser system for UV applications including wafer inspection, spectrometer calibration, and interferometric applications. Features spectral bandwidth under 30 MHz, pulse repetition rates 1-30 kHz, average output power 150 mW at 266 nm or 500 mW at 355 nm, and coherence length exceeding 4 meters.
• IMPRESS 213 High repetition rate solid-state diode pumped Q-switched laser with 213 nm emission wavelength. Gaussian TEM00-mode beam serves as workhorse for fiber Bragg grating (FBG) production, diamond and sapphire marking, and direct laser writing with feature sizes below 1 micrometer.
• IDOL Series High repetition rate solid-state diode pumped Q-switched laser series with fundamental wavelength of 1342 nm. Models include IDOL 671 (red 671 nm), IDOL 447 (blue 447 nm), and IDOL 1342 for silicon processing. Delivers less than 13 ns pulses with superior beam quality and pulse-to-pulse stability under 2%.
• IXDICE 1342 High repetition rate solid-state diode pumped Q-switched laser with 1342 nm fundamental wavelength. Compact successor to IDOL-C-1342, optimized for pulse repetition rates 40-200 kHz. Designed for silicon processing including stealth dicing and trimming of integrated circuits. Compliant with US CDRH regulations.
• IXDICE ULTRA 1342 High power version of IXDICE 1342 with 18W average output power, described as the most powerful system at 1342 nm on the market. Optimized for high pulse repetition rates 30-200 kHz with sealed housing for continuous 24/7 industrial use. Designed for silicon processing applications including stealth dicing and IC trimming.
• Custom Made Lasers Custom-designed laser systems from development prototypes to finalized serial products including software. Specializes in solid-state lasers with extraordinary wavelengths from 185 nm deep UV to 5 micrometers mid infrared. Supports 24/7 operation with high reliability for research institutions and industrial customers with non-standard requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100x lower energy consumption for FBG production compared to gas lasers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Technical University Kaiserslautern - Prof. Marco Rahm's GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXiton Photonics cooperates with the AG 'Theoretische Elektrotechnik/Metamaterialien und Terahertz-Technologie' at TU Kaiserslautern under Prof. Marco Rahm's leadership for electronics development in the FIPER 1342 project. This academic partnership supports the development of high repetition rate laser systems for the semiconductor industry.
• TRUMPFflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development resulting in the Xiton Harmonic Box product, an example of successful joint development between Xiton Photonics and TRUMPF.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Thorlabs (Quantum Electronics): Thorlabs manufactures a broad portfolio of photonics products including DPSS lasers and laser diodes, serving research and OEM markets globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping DPSS laser offerings, though Thorlabs' core business is optomechanical components and catalog distribution.
• IPG Photonics: IPG Photonics is the leading global manufacturer of high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers, serving industrial, medical, and telecom markets. Comparable as a broad laser incumbent with overlapping semiconductor and industrial processing customers, though IPG's core technology is fiber-based rather than DPSS.
• TRUMPF: TRUMPF is a global leader in industrial lasers and machine tools, with whom Xiton has an existing collaborative development partnership. Comparable as a broad incumbent in industrial laser systems serving overlapping semiconductor and photonics customers.
• Coherent: Coherent is one of the largest photonics companies globally, producing lasers, optics, and materials for semiconductor, industrial, and scientific markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving overlapping semiconductor processing and metrology customers, though at much larger scale and broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• CrystaLaser: CrystaLaser manufactures DPSS laser systems across UV, visible, and IR wavelengths, with a comparable specialization in compact solid-state sources for scientific and industrial applications. Directly comparable as a peer DPSS laser specialist of similar size and customer base.
• Photonics Industries International: Photonics Industries manufactures Q-switched DPSS lasers (ns and ps) for industrial applications including semiconductor processing and precision machining. Comparable as a peer in high-repetition-rate solid-state lasers for semiconductor and industrial markets.
• Cobolt (HÜBNER Photonics): Cobolt, part of HÜBNER Photonics, designs and manufactures high-performance DPSS lasers and laser diode modules for Raman spectroscopy, semiconductor inspection, and quantum research. Directly comparable as a DPSS specialist serving similar scientific and industrial markets.
• Lighthouse Photonics: Lighthouse Photonics produces Sprout and Emerald series DPSS lasers — compact, single-frequency solid-state sources for scientific research and OEM integration. Comparable as a specialist in single-frequency DPSS lasers for similar research and metrology applications.

Others

• RPMC Lasers: RPMC Lasers is a North American laser distributor and integrator representing multiple laser manufacturers into industrial, medical, and scientific markets. Comparable as a channel-side participant in the laser industry that could complement or compete with Xiton's distribution model.

Emerging players

• M Squared Lasers: M Squared Lasers designs and manufactures DPSS laser systems for quantum technology, biophotonics, and metrology. Comparable in wavelength-converted solid-state laser expertise, though M Squared focuses more on quantum and life-science verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/xiton-photonics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Xiton Photonics