SOUTHAMPTON, U.K. -- Fiber laser manufacturer Southampton Photonics, Inc. (SPI) today announced the appointment of Tony Hoult as Applications Manager.

Hoult brings a wealth of industrial experience in real-world laser applications to SPI. He has published over 30 papers and has worked on a range of advanced process developments, including the development of novel laser processes for polymer joining, bonding polymers/polymer composites to metals and adhesive curing. He has also worked on novel laser wavelengths for cutting polymers and high speed welding using low power CO2 lasers. Most recently with Coherent Inc. he was a Senior Specialist working on high power direct diode and Q-switched CO2 lasers.

Prior to joining Coherent in 1999, he was Senior Research Fellow at Warwick University in the UK where he established and ran the Industrial Laser Facility. For the last two years he has been Chairman of the ICALEO Laser Materials Processing Conference organized by the Laser Institute of America (LIA).

Hoult will be playing a key role in expanding the fiber laser application space for SPI's industrial fiber lasers. "We are delighted that Tony has joined us", said John Tinson, SPI's Vice President of Sales "and I am confident that he will be a real asset to both SPI and our customers".

Southampton Photonics Inc.