Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

Visit us at LASER World of PHOTONICS 2023 in Munich!

Experience our innovations at LASER WoP at booth A3.441 and at World of QUANTUM at booth A1.521!

eSLED
© Aurora Powertrains
Sustainable mobility even in the cold: The snowmobile weighs up to 270 kilograms and travels up to 100 kilometers on one charge, depending on battery power.

Also this year the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft presents itself on joint booths at LASER World of PHOTONICS and WORLD of QUANTUM! We cordially invite you to visit the Fraunhofer ILT at booth A3.441 (WoP) as well as booth A1.521 (WoQ)!

Learn more about the following topics:

  • Laser technology for climate research
  • Laser welding for electromobility
  • Simultaneous high-speed plating and mechanical processing
  • Compact, planar galvanometer scanner for new plant concepts
  • Quantum frequency converter for Germany's first quantum internet node

 

New Quantum Internet Node in Aachen - Cooperation of Fraunhofer ILT with Dutch QuTech

NRW Economics Minister Neubaur and Prof. Häfner, Director of the Fraunhofer ILT, at the launch of the "N-Quik" project, funded by NRW.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany / Andreas Steindl.
NRW Economics Minister Neubaur and Prof. Häfner, Director of the Fraunhofer ILT, at the launch of the "N-Quik" project, funded by NRW.

As one of the key technologies of the 21st century, quantum technology (QT) offers enormous potential for the fields of health, mobility, energy and security, among other areas.

The "N-Quik" project, funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MWIKE), is a new milestone in quantum technology research. Together with the Dutch QuTech - a collaboration of the TU Delft and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO - the Fraunhofer ILT will establish cross-border QT networks in the future. On February 13, 2023, NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur handed over the funding notification for "N-QUIK" worth 3.5 million euros to Prof. Constantin Häfner, Director of the Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen.

The international project partners aim to have the quantum Internet node up and running by 2024. Prof. Constantin Häfner, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT: "This development and test platform for network components in NRW lays the foundation for taking a leading position in the development, implementation and exploitation of quantum technology. The forward-looking project "N-Quik" forms the starting signal for a quantum network in Europe."

News at a Glance

24.5.2023

Compact laser scanner with 90 percent less construction volume

Galvanometer scanners have been in use in laser material processing for decades. However, a team from the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT has now developed a new, particularly compact scanner module for applications in 3D printing, micromachining or medical technology. The researchers have already successfully tested it for various applications. The scanner will be on display at LASER World of Photonics 2023 in Munich.
more info

16.5.2023

Research Campus Digital Photonic Production celebrates Day of Light 2023

Humans have been using fire for two million years. Humans have lived in the glow of electric light for over 100 years. Light is energy, light is heat, light is the foundation of life in our world as we know it. Light has changed humankind in essential areas of life: for example, in medicine, in communication, in energy production.
more info

16.5.2023

Photonic Technologies for the Quantum Internet

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT are developing technology for quantum networks of the future. Funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the institute is installing hardware of a network node on location, as it is also used in the quantum internet demonstrator of QuTech in Delft in the Netherlands. The hardware will initially serve as a test and development platform, which the scientists want to use to develop new components for networking quantum computers with partners from industry and research on site in Aachen. In the future, the node is to be integrated into a European quantum network. Initial results will be presented at the "World of QUANTUM" trade fair in Munich at the end of June.
more info

5.5.2023

LASER World of PHOTONICS 2023: Premiere of the Arctic Kind

An electric snowmobile at LASER World of PHOTONICS 2023 in the summer! Why? Trade show visitors have the Finnish startup Aurora Powertrains Oy from Rovaniemi to thank for this premiere of the Arctic kind. Aurora has developed cold-resistant batteries with extremely high energy density for the Arctic temperatures of this region, and the customized joining technology required for this comes from the laser welding experts at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen.
more info
 

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Technology Focus

 

Laser

In this field of research, we develop innovative laser beam sources with tailored spatial, temporal and spectral properties as well as output powers.

 

Optical Systems

The focus of this research field includes beam shaping and beam guiding, frequency conversion as well as design, layout and packaging of optical components.

 

Quantum Technology

Together with international experts we are developing, among other things, photon sources, photonic components & systems for future applications in the field of quantum technology.

 

Laser Measurement Technology

Together with customers from industry and research, we develop laser processes for production measurement technology, material and bioanalytics as well as testing technology, among others.

 

Additive Manufacturing

Since the mid-1990s, Fraunhofer ILT has been advancing Additive Manufacturing – especially of metallic components – with Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Laser Material Deposition (LMD), among others. 

 

Surface Technology

Laser-based technologies for the efficient processing, functionalization and finishing of surfaces are among the key topics in this field of research. 

 

Joining

Our scientists develop laser beam sources and laser-based joining processes for numerous applications in micro and macro technology.

 

Cutting

We offer laser-based solutions for new or technically and economically optimized processes in cutting or ablation technology and accompany customers from the initial feasibility study to industrial implementation. 

 

Digitalization

In this technology field, we concentrate our digital competencies in laser technology and contribute to your progress in R&D and production in the age of RAMI and Industry 4.0.

 

EUV and Plasma Technology

In addition to application-adapted plasma-based beam sources, our experts develop optical systems for the efficient use of EUV radiation in industry and research, among others.

 

Medical Technology

In close cooperation with partners from life sciences, we research and develop laser-based processes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, among others.

Laser Technology for Your Industry

Laser technology can solve demanding tasks in many different industries. Whether as a tool in automotive production, as measuring equipment in the environmental sector, as a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in medical technology or as a communication medium in space technology, the laser provides multiple uses with high productivity and high efficiency. Thanks to its intensive research and application-specific developments, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT has been guiding its industrial partners in developing their innovations for more than 30 years – in the “branches” section you will find further information and a selection from our services.

 

Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

Steinbachstr. 15
52074 Aachen, Germany

Telephone +49 241 8906-0
Fax +49 241 8906-121

 

Publications

In our media center you will find annual reports, thematic brochures, image brochures, press releases, videos and other publications from Fraunhofer ILT.

Press

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Networks

Together with German and foreign companies and research centers, Fraunhofer ILT develops a broad portfolio of solutions for innovations in industry and research.