Why Are Lasers Still So Expensive? The Volume–Cost Trap and Other Challenges in Photonics and Automation

Many laser systems remain expensive because they are produced in limited volumes with tight tolerances, delicate assembly and insufficient automation. This article explains the resulting volume–cost trap: cheap lasers require large markets, while many large markets can emerge only once lasers become cheaper. It discusses promising application areas, different cost-reduction paths for various laser technologies, and the broader challenges of standardization, reliability, system cost and manufacturing scale-up.