News Article
IPG Photonics’ Gapontsev awarded for laser developments
Laser veteran Valentin Gapontsev has been honoured for his contributions to the field of lasers by the Russian government. His accolades include creating optical quantum generators on a fundamentally new technological platform.
For his innovative designs and creation of high-quality fibre lasers, fibre optic backbone and local connection systems, Valentin Gapontsev has been awarded the 2010 Russian Federation National Award in Science and Technology.
Valentin Gapontsev was born on February 23, 1939 in Moscow. He holds a Ph.D. in Physical and Mathematical Sciences and has served as Department Chair at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology as well as the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA).
He is also the Director General of the IRE-Polus research and technology alliance, and the chair of the Board of Directors and Managing Director of the International research and technology corporation of IPG Photonics.
Gapontsev is a leading specialist in the field of laser physics and technology, fibre optic and opto-electronic technologies, and the founder of IPG Photonics research and production association, which develops and produces high-performance fibre lasers in Russia, Germany and the United States.
Gapontsev’s work, which started about twenty years ago in Russia at IRE Polus research and technology association, is based on his idea of creating optical quantum generators on a fundamentally new technological platform.
His merits include his socio-educational work at laser technology science and education centres, where he has trained young Russian scientists and specialists in the field of laser physics.
