The current high power material processing market is currently dominated by CO2 and solid state Nd:Yag Lasers. From 1970 to 2000 the output powers from these devices, have grown to over 10,000 watts for CO2 and 4000 watts for Nd:YAG lasers. In comparison, the first fiber lasers were introduced in 1990 and in a very short timeframe have grown to power outputs over 10,000 watts with projected outputs of 100,000 watts by 2005.

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