GoPhotonics interviewed Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán, the founder of FYLA. Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán is a leading figure in the development of photonic technologies in Spain. He established the company in 2006, prior to completing his PhD in Physics at the University of Valencia in 2009, where he received the Extraordinary Doctorate Prize. In his early career, he combined the growth of FYLA with research activities, creating and leading the Fiber Lasers and Devices group at the Nanophotonics Technology Center of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, an experience that helped lay the company’s technological foundations. As CEO of FYLA, he currently leads the development of ultrafast fiber lasers and advanced photonic solutions, driving successful technology transfer to scientific and industrial clients worldwide.  

Q. Could you share the story behind the founding of FYLA and how its mission has shaped its role in the laser and photonics industry?

Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán: FYLA’s roots are deeply academic. My early work in ultrafast fiber lasers began during my research years at the Universitat de València and later through continued development that bridged research and real-world performance needs. That path ultimately led to the creation of FYLA as a company in 2013 - 2014, with our first prototypes, first patent activity around supercontinuum technology, and our first early adopters in research environments. 

From day one, the mission has been consistent: build proprietary ultrafast photonics technology in-house and turn it into reliable tools for scientists and industry. Over the years, that mission naturally expanded our role, from being a manufacturer of scientific ultrafast fiber lasers to building complete photonics systems for industrial inspection and optical communications, while keeping the same core principle: quality, innovation, and real usability.

Q. What are the core technologies and product lines in FYLA’s laser portfolio, and which applications are they primarily designed to serve?

Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán: Our laser portfolio is built around ultrafast fiber laser architectures, developed and manufactured with a strong in-house approach. In practice, this translates into two main families that many customers recognize immediately: supercontinuum “white light” fiber lasers and femtosecond fiber lasers. 

On the supercontinuum side, systems such as Horizon and Iceblink address applications that need broadband, stable illumination: spectroscopy, microscopy/fluorescence techniques, optical characterization, metrology, and hyperspectral imaging. 

On the femtosecond side, our lasers deliver ultra‑short pulses of light, typically lasting just a few femtoseconds, enabling extremely high temporal precision. These systems are ideal for material processing, spectroscopy, biomedical imaging, and advanced scientific research, where ultrafast dynamics and highly controlled light–matter interaction are critical. Together, these technologies allow us to address both fundamental research and applied photonics challenges with a strong focus on performance, stability, and usability.

Q. Which key industries and market segments does FYLA cater to today, and where do you see the highest demand for your technologies?

Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán: Today, FYLA operates through three clearly defined business lines: FYLA Lasers, FYLA Inspection, and FYLA Networks.

FYLA Lasers addresses scientific research, OEMs, and advanced laboratories that require ultrafast and broadband laser sources for spectroscopy, imaging, and optical characterization.

FYLA Inspection focuses on industrial quality control, delivering laser‑based inspection systems for coil coating and semiconductors industries.

FYLA Networks develops optical communication technologies based on ultrafast photonics, targeting secure, high‑bandwidth, long-range links.

In terms of demand, we clearly see strong growth where photonics enables new measurement capabilities, higher precision, or entirely new ways of inspecting, communicating, or controlling processes, especially in industrial environments, advanced research infrastructures, and emerging high‑tech sectors.

Q. Can you tell us about the development of the Horizon supercontinuum fiber laser and what sets it apart from other systems in the market?

Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán: Horizon was developed to solve a very specific and common pain point in supercontinuum sources: spectral non-uniformity. Many conventional supercontinuum lasers show strong peaks across the spectrum, which forces users into normalization steps, correction workflows, and compromises in measurement repeatability. Horizon was engineered to deliver a high-power supercontinuum with an ultra-flat, uniform spectral profile, so users can trust the illumination as a measurement tool, not something they have to “fix” in post-processing. 

Technically, the materials we share publicly and internally highlight a broad band that reaches from the visible into the infrared (commonly referenced around 410 - 2300 nm) and a strong emphasis on power stability and measurement-grade reliability. The key differentiator is that flatness: Horizon is positioned as a supercontinuum system designed to make spectroscopy and optical characterization more accurate, repeatable, and efficient

Q. What role does the RAINBOW laser system play in industrial color measurement, and where is it currently being applied most successfully?

Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán: RAINBOW is our answer to a long-standing industrial gap: bringing laboratory-grade color measurement into real-time, in-line production. The system performs non-contact color inspection directly on the line, using a supercontinuum white-light laser and spectrometer-based measurement to detect deviations quickly and consistently, designed to reduce waste and improve quality control decisions in real time.

In terms of application, RAINBOW is explicitly framed for the coil coating industry with a dedicated HMI and measurement geometry configured for industrial environments. Internally, our materials also reference deployments in real customer contexts and the focus on stable, repeatable color metrics aligned with quality department requirements.

Q. How has the Iceblink laser been used in academic or research settings, and what kind of feedback have you received from those users?

Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán: Iceblink is widely used as a broadband white-light source in research environments that need coverage from the visible to the near infrared. In our internal product material, it is positioned as a strong alternative to classic lamps, single-wavelength lasers, LEDs, or ASE sources, especially when users want both broadband coverage and stability. 

A good example of user feedback we’ve shared in outreach is a testimonial from a biophotonics lab highlighting the broad band capability, stability for sensitive measurements, and ease of operation through software, precisely the kind of practical usability that matters in real labs.

Q. What role does FYLA’s membership in the Spanish Semiconductor Industry Association (AESEMI) play in shaping your R&D priorities and market strategy?

Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán: Being part of AESEMI helps us stay tightly connected to the Spanish and European semiconductor ecosystem, companies, research initiatives, and the broader value chain, so our R&D priorities remain aligned with real industry needs and near-term technology roadmaps. 

From a strategy perspective, it reinforces our commitment to advanced semiconductor processing, industrial metrology, and photonics-based inspection, and it supports partnerships that accelerate validation, industrialization, and adoption. In short: AESEMI is a lever for collaboration and relevance, helping ensure what we build translates into impact in a fast-moving sector.

FYLA recently received ISO certification. What steps were taken to meet the standards, and how have these practices improved customer satisfaction and product reliability?

We achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification for the design, manufacturing, and commercialization of lasers and their accessories, audited and certified by Bureau Veritas. 

To meet the standard, we formalized a Quality Management System with the structured ISO approach, documented processes, responsibilities, and continuous improvement mechanisms reflected in our quality documentation framework.

In practical terms, ISO 9001 practices are built to strengthen consistency, traceability, and risk-based process control, elements that directly support long-term reliability and a smoother customer experience, especially as we scale and serve global customers.

Q. How is FYLA engaging with international markets through trade shows such as LASER World of PHOTONICS, and what are the outcomes of such global outreach efforts?

Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán: International outreach is a key pillar of FYLA’s market strategy. We actively participate in major international trade shows and scientific congresses to stay close to our customers, partners, and the broader photonics ecosystem. These events allow us to showcase real system performance, gather direct feedback, and understand how market needs are evolving.

Beyond Europe, we engage globally, with presence at events and congresses across the United States, Germany, Japan, and other key photonics markets worldwide. This international exposure is essential not only for business development, but also for technology validation, ensuring that what we develop is aligned with real application demands across different regions and industries.

Q. Looking ahead, what strategic initiatives or product launches can we expect from FYLA in 2026 as the demand for advanced laser solutions continues to grow?

Dr. Pere Pérez-Millán: Looking ahead, our strategy is guided by a strong conviction: ultrafast photonics enables solutions that were simply not possible with previous technologies. We firmly believe in the versatility of ultrafast laser applications and in their ability to address needs that, until recently, remained uncovered.

In 2026 and beyond, this translates into continued innovation across FYLA Lasers, FYLA Inspection, and FYLA Networks, leveraging ultrafast photonics to create new capabilities in measurement, inspection, and communications. Our focus is not just on incremental improvements, but on using frontier photonic technology to unlock new applications, bring laboratory‑level performance into real‑world environments, and help our customers tackle challenges that demand speed, precision, and reliability beyond conventional solutions.

About FYLA

FYLA is a leading company specializing in ultrafast fiber laser technology, dedicated to innovation, quality, and profitability. Their mission is to drive industry transformation through advanced photonic solutions. The company focuses on developing and commercializing high-performance laser technology that fuel innovation and deliver lasting value to our clients and stakeholders. By leveraging photonics, they aim to unlock new applications, foster technological advancements, and contribute to the development of emerging sectors globally.