The Laser Thermal Blog

The latest insights in thermal property measurements, semiconductor testing, and its value for manufacturing companies
Laser Thermal Launches ‘TOPS’ – The Future of Thermal Conductivity Testing

TOPS revolutionizes thermal conductivity testing for solids, liquids, pastes, gels, and foams. Charlottesville, VA, March 10, 2025 Today, Laser Thermal, a leader in optical thermal measurements, is excited to announce the launch of its groundbreaking new product, TOPS. This innovative instrument transforms how engineers and scientists measure thermal conductivity. The TOPS (Thermo-Optical Plane Source) system...

Laser Thermal Partners with Louisiana Tech University to Advance Semiconductor Research

Laser Thermal is pleased to announce that we have recently secured a contract with Louisiana Tech University to enhance its semiconductor research capabilities. This partnership will bring cutting-edge technology to the University’s Institute for Micromanufacturing (IfM) with the installation of the SSTR-F tool, a state-of-the-art steady-state thermoreflectance in fiber tool. This new equipment will be...

Impact of Thermal Characterization on Design Optimization

Introduction As semiconductors continue to improve, thermal management becomes increasingly critical. Current semiconductor devices are certainly stronger, smaller, and higher in power densities than previously created devices. However, semiconductor performance deteriorates in the presence of excessive heat, with overall inefficiencies followed by complete failures or device breakdown. The data to predict these failures comes from...

Laser Thermal Receives DARPA Phase II Award to Enhance Thermal Metrology

In exciting news for the field of thermal measurement, Laser Thermal has been awarded a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This award supports DARPA’s project, “Advancing Thermo-Optical Metrology for Integrated Circuits” (ATOMIC), and promises to push the boundaries of nano-scale thermal property...

Laser Thermal Teams Up with NIST: Advancing Semiconductor Research with Cutting-Edge Thermal Measurement Tool

In a significant boost for semiconductor research and development, Laser Thermal has announced a new collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Charlottesville-based company has been awarded a contract to supply NIST with its groundbreaking thermal conductivity testing instrument, the Steady State Thermoreflectance in Fiber (SSTR-F). This partnership is set to...

Empowering Microscale Thermal Analysis

Laser Thermal’s SSTR-F elevates the University of Maryland’s NEIT lab and beyond Laser Thermal has made significant strides in the thermal measurement field by using optical technologies to simplify and shorten the measurement process. This innovation is crucial for industries where thermal management is a significant challenge. A company’s ability to perform thermal measurements at...

Revealing the Unseen With Thermoreflectance

Harnessing thermoreflectance for comprehensive semiconductor testing In the field of semiconductor electronics, thermal metrology has become increasingly problematic. Conventional measurement methods often fail to produce accurate, repeatable results, especially for thin films and other materials at the nanoscale. That’s why the thermal metrologists, physicists, and material scientists at Laser Thermal moved away from conventional approaches...

Laser Thermal Introduces Edge Scientific as its Sales Agent for Thermal Metrology Instruments and Contract Testing Services in Canada

Since 2005, Edge Scientific has specialized in representing the world’s most respected manufacturers of nanotechnology solutions. CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, March 27, 2024 – Laser Thermal, a leading provider of advanced thermal property measurement tools, is pleased to announce the signing of Edge Scientific as its exclusive representative for sales of the company’s SSTR-F thermal conductivity and...

Laser Thermal Awarded DoD OSD Basic Research Office Phase I STTR Contract

Under the STTR contract award, the program will develop technology for advanced metrology of high thermal conductivity materials and interfaces. Charlottesville, VA, March 3, 2024 – Laser Thermal, a leading metrology tool and service provider of small-scale thermal property measurements, today announced it has been awarded a Department of Defense Phase I STTR contract. The...