Jenoptik presents new optical system for more efficient laser-based solar cell processing

Jenoptik, a leading provider of optics and laser technology, is presenting its new Modular Beam Splitting System MBSS, offering solar cell and laser machine manufacturers a powerful alternative to existing, complex optical setups for laser beam guidance and shaping.

Designed for solar production, it combines micro-optical and optical components into a ready-to-install, process-stable solution. A powerful beam splitter ensures excellent beam homogeneity across the entire field and thus enables timesaving, parallel laser structuring with consistently high product quality and improved throughput.

“Our new Modular Beam Splitting System is a significant step forward for solar cell production. It offers a reliable solution to meet the requirements for precision and efficiency in the laser processing of solar cells,” says Dr. Maria Oliva, Vice President Business Management of Jenoptik’s Semiconductor & Advanced Manufacturing Strategic Business Unit. “The MBSS is further proof that we are developing innovative products and technologies that can make our customers' production more efficient and sustainable.”

Jenoptik will present the MBSS to trade visitors at the LASER World of Photonics Munich trade fair from June 24 to 27, 2025, as well as other products and solutions for the semiconductor industry, life science, medical technology and metrology.

Product images are available for download in the Jenoptik image database in the Products / Optics & Photonics gallery.

High quality of the geometries produced on solar cells

The process of laser structuring is essential for the production of high-performance photovoltaic elements with high efficiency. In order to achieve the required voltage and minimize losses, laser structures (groove) must be created with high precision in the individual layers of the solar cells to ensure consistent cell interconnection within the module. The modular beam splitting system can therefore be used for all three process steps (P1, P2, P3) in the production of perovskite solar cells. It reliably generates very accurate laser lines with sharp cutting edges. This does not only ensure consistently high product quality and stable laser processes, but it also makes it possible to reduce groove widths in the design of the solar cells in order to reduce so-called “dead areas” in which no energy can be generated.

Light, compact and easy to customize

With a weight of less than 10 kg, the MBSS is relatively lightweight. It can be mounted in different installation positions, classically in a suspended design or upside down, for example, to enable a wide variety of structuring applications. All relevant components, such as the diffractive optical element (DOE) and the high-performance laser lens, are built into the compact module for high-precision and reliable laser beam guidance, splitting and shaping. Customers define the specific parameters such as wavelength, spot shape, size and distance in advance and receive a customer-specific MBSS – fully tuned, tested and ready for integration into the overall laser system.

Shorten process times with parallel structuring

Thanks to the integrated DOE, the MBSS generates several spots in parallel with a high homogeneity of spot intensities. The optical system can score points with intensity fluctuations of less than 3 percent and distance variations of less than 5 µm between the individual spots.

The Modular Beam Splitting System therefore offers long-term stability of the intensity distribution in the target plane and thus ensures the high quality of laser structuring for perovskite solar cell production, among other things.

Flexible adjustments possible

With the new optical solution from Jenoptik, complex optical systems can be replaced, significantly reducing integration and the effort required for setup and adjustment. The size and distance between the spots can be quickly and easily adjusted independently. The DOE can also be replaced, or an additional beam expander can be added with minimal effort.

About Jenoptik

Jenoptik is a global technology group operating in the photonics market. Our growth areas primarily include semiconductor technology, medical technology, metrology as well as smart mobility. Approximately 4,600 people worldwide work for the Jenoptik Group, which is headquartered in Jena (Germany). JENOPTIK AG is listed on the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt and traded on the MDax and TecDax. In fiscal year 2024, Jenoptik generated revenue of around 1.12 billion euros.

With its Strategic Business Unit (SBU) Semiconductor & Advanced Manufacturing, Jenoptik is a global OEM and machine supplier of solutions powered by photonics. Our engineering expertise excels across a broad portfolio in the fields of optic, micro-optics and precision components for the semiconductor equipment industry. Moreover, the SBU addresses the megatrend of digitalization with solutions for optical information and communications technology as well as laser material processing.