Lord Almighty, Coherent is just a hunk of burning light. The company specializes in light wave manipulation, called photonics, to manufacture and market all types of lasers. Operations straddle high-volume production of commercial lasers and components, and specialized, custom lasers. Products are used in a host of areas: microelectronics (semiconductor fabrication, packaging, flat panel display and solar cell manufacture); scientific and government research involving physical and chemical processes; OEM components and bio-instrumentation; and materials processing industries, such as heavy manufacturing and cutting. Coherent's sales are primarily driven through its sales force to customers outside the US.