Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

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

9.3.2023

7th UKP Workshop becomes more international and looks at future markets

On April 26 and 27, 2023, users from the fields of laser technology, optics and laser development, as well as mechanical and plant engineering will meet in Aachen for the "7th UKP Workshop – Ultrafast Laser Technology." In addition to presenting the latest developments in ultrafast laser technology, the workshop will cover several core topics: contributions to future markets and applications from microelectronics, battery and hydrogen technology. In order to serve these topics accordingly, the UKP workshop will open its doors – for the first time – to international speakers with relevant industry knowledge to report on their experience.
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8.3.2023

5th Laser Symposium Electromobility LSE'23:
The perfect symbiosis of science and business

After three long years of meeting online, the industry finally convened live at the 5th Laser Symposium Electromobility LSE at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen. Around 50 interested parties accepted the invitation to hear speakers from research and industry report on progress, trends and ideas to further advance electromobilization. Highlights included a presentation by a Finnish snowmobile manufacturer, a 32-beam 100 kilowatt laser from Israel and insight from an Austrian AI expert.
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28.2.2023

New lasers for climate research

Weather reports, climate models or rocket launches – they all need precise data from the atmosphere. To acquire such data, scientists can use LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) systems to shoot laser beams into the sky. The backscattered light can be used to calculate wind and temperature data at altitudes of up to 100 km. A team from the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and the Leibniz Institute for Atmospheric Physics IAP has developed a portable LIDAR system that works autonomously. In the future, such systems could be mass-produced and combined into networks to provide high quality climate data.
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9.2.2023

IDEEL Project: Manufacture of laser-dried anodes and LFP cathodes achieved first time in a roll-to-roll process

The IDEEL research project aims to introduce a laser drying process as a more climate-friendly and economical method for the volume production of lithium-ion batteries. Within this context, it has now been possible to produce laser-dried anodes and LFP cathodes in a roll-to-roll process for the first time. The innovative manufacturing process significantly reduces energy consumption in electrode production and at the same time enables the drying speed to be doubled.
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Laser

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

 

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

 

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

 

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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.

 

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

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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.

Information of Fraunhofer ILT on the current coronavirus pandemic to customers, partners, visitors and those interested in our services

How can Additive Manufacturing help in the fight against coronavirus? The EU project AMable calls for the submission of ideas in this area. In a second step, SMEs, for example, can submit solution concepts and receive funding.
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