Interview with Martynas Barkauskas
INTERVIEW
Interview with Martynas Barkauskas
CEO of Light Conversion, a company specialized in ultrashort pulse lasers and OPAs.
https:// doi. org / 10.1051 / photon / 202513121
Can you tell us about the origins of Light Conversion? Light Conversion traces its origins to the Laser Research Centre at Vilnius University, specifically within the Quantum Electronics Department of the Faculty of Physics. Initially known as the Quantum Electronics Department, it later evolved into the Laser Research Centre. Our company was founded within this academic setting. The formal establishment of Light Conversion was driven by a focus on developing optical parametric amplifiers( OPAs), enabling the tuning of laser wavelengths. Our specialization in femtosecond OPAs became the foundation of our product portfolio and company growth. Prior to this, the university had amassed extensive experience in laser systems, particularly through collaborations with other research institutions. These projects, often centered around spectrometers and precision optical equipment, helped cultivate a strong expertise in the field. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, while many sought opportunities abroad, a group of researchers chose to establish a company to retain scientific talent within Lithuania. Their primary motivation was not commercial gain but rather the preservation of expertise. This initiative materialized around 1992 – 1993. Our work soon attracted the interest of major laser manufacturers. One of our earliest key partners was Quantronix, a company pioneering commercial femtosecond laser systems for research. We supplied OPAs as complementary components to their laser sources, facilitating wavelength conversion. This capability directly inspired our name, Light Conversion— a reflection of our core expertise in modifying light properties. As our OPAs gained recognition, we became the leading supplier in the field,
with only a few exceptions. Today, the vast majority of femtosecond OPAs available on the market originate from us, even when sold under different brand names. By 2000, we made the strategic decision to develop our own laser sources rather than limiting ourselves to auxiliary components. Given our experience with picosecond lasers, this transition was a natural progression. We focused on high-repetition-rate systems, a project that required approximately six years to materialize. By 2005, we introduced our own laser products, and by 2008, they had begun integrating into industrial manufacturing processes. Since then, our business has expanded significantly.
How did Light Conversion expand its product offerings and grow its business after the initial success with OPAs? While we continue to produce OPAs and custom scientific instruments, the majority of our revenue now stems from laser sources. The scientific market remains integral to our operations, but from a product perspective, laser sources have become our dominant segment. Over the years, we have also diversified into spectrometers, optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifiers( OPCPAs), and large-scale systems for high-repetition-rate terawatt applications. Some of these systems, installed on expansive 8-meter-long optical tables, serve major research institutions worldwide. Currently, our revenue exceeds $ 130 million, with all our products centered around femtosecond laser technologies. While we are not a billion-dollar enterprise like some of the industry’ s largest players, we are recognized as a leader in the ultrafast laser sector, specializing in extremely short pulse durations— positioning us in a highly specialized niche.
What have been some of the company’ s most significant advancements in the past five years? Rather than a single groundbreaking innovation, our progress has been characterized by continuous refinement and iterative improvements to our products. While these advancements may not always appear revolutionary individually, their cumulative impact has been substantial. Serving the scientific community presents unique challenges. Our customers— typically university professors and research institutions— rarely require standardized systems. Instead, they demand customized solutions, making adaptability a crucial aspect of our business. A key development over the past five years has been our emergence as a major industry player. Despite operating in a specialized market, our reputation for reliability has strengthened considerably. We have grown from a $ 50 million company to over $ 100 million in revenue, significantly increasing our global presence. Additionally, we have gradually expanded into the medical sector, complementing our established presence in industrial and scientific markets.
Could you share some insights into your personal background? How did you develop an interest in physics and lasers? My interest in physics developed early. As a freshman at Vilnius University, I enrolled in the Faculty of Physics and soon took on part-time roles at the Laser Research Centre, working on small-scale research projects. After completing my bachelor’ s degree, I participated in an Erasmus exchange program at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, home to a distinguished laser research group. My master’ s studies focused on laser physics, particularly high harmonic generation. I then returned to Vilnius University for my PhD, specializing in ultrafast spectroscopy and
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