Interview with Laser Institute of America

At Photonics West, LIA Executive Director Shaun Oleson spoke with Damien Buet about Amplitude’s 25-year journey, its presence in the United States, and its engagement with the global laser community.

LIA: Amplitude is marking its 25th anniversary this year, with celebrations beginning in the United States. Why did you choose to start here?

Damien Buet, CEO, Amplitude: The United States has long been a strategic market for Amplitude, but the choice was also driven by the broader context. Photonics West is one of the most important international events for our industry. It brings together the full ecosystem—research, industrial users, and technology developers—in one place. Starting our anniversary year here allows us to reflect on our journey while engaging directly with the global photonics community in a setting that naturally encourages dialogue and exchange.

LIA: The anniversary comes at a time of significant activity for Amplitude. How does this moment reflect where the company is today?

Damien Buet: Reaching 25 years is an opportunity not only to reflect on our history, but also to assess where we are today and why we do what we do. Amplitude has grown alongside the laser industry, expanding from its scientific origins into industrial, medical, and life science applications, while maintaining a strong culture of technical excellence. Today, our focus is on developing innovative laser solutions that serve a clear purpose addressing real application needs, supporting long-term partnerships with customers and research institutions, and contributing in a meaningful way to the progress of science, industry, and society.

LIA: You’ve recently strengthened your leadership presence in the United States. Can you tell us more about that?

Damien Buet: Yes, we were very pleased to welcome Gerarda Evangelista to lead our U.S. operations. She brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the global laser industry, spanning industrial, scientific, and commercial roles. Her deep understanding of both technology and markets is a strong asset for us. More importantly, it reflects our commitment to being closer to customers in the U.S. and to building a local organization that can support them effectively over the long term.

LIA: Amplitude has been actively involved in professional communities, including the Laser Institute of America, for many years. Why is that engagement important?

Damien Buet: Organizations like LIA play a critical role in structuring and advancing the laser industry, particularly in industrial applications. Our long-standing involvement, rooted in continuity and sustained by consistent involvement over the years, reflects our belief in collaboration —sharing expertise, contributing to technical discussions, and collectively addressing challenges such as process reliability, safety, and scalability. Events like ICALEO are especially valuable because they combine practical industrial insight with deep technical content.

LIA: Speaking of ICALEO, what are your expectations for this year’s event in Denver?

Damien Buet: ICALEO consistently offers a high level of technical exchange, and that’s what we value most. This year, we’re looking forward to engaging with peers and end users on how laser technologies are enabling advanced manufacturing and emerging applications. It’s also an opportunity to continue discussions with the community about where the technology is heading and how it can be translated into real-world impact.