Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT
Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

Laser Based Optics Manufacturing

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Our range of services

Optical systems are central components in many future high-tech applications, from those used in medical technology and quantum technology to semiconductor lithography and laser-based inertial confinement fusion. The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT offers its clients innovative laser-based manufacturing processes for the production and processing of optical components made of glass and other materials. The processes we have developed enable maximum precision and efficiency along the entire value chain, from microlenses and microlens arrays to macroscopic optics with a diameter of up to 200 mm. 

Fiber chip coupler
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen
Fiber chip coupler
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Prototype of a line optics.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Laser polished asphere (diameter 60 mm).

Optics design for laser-based manufacturing

Laser processes have unique advantages in optics production, advantages that can be used in the best possible way through production-oriented optics design. For example, laser technology can simplify the production of bi-aspheres considerably when compared to conventional manufacturing processes. Our experts develop solutions tailored to your application.

→ Learn More About Optics Design

Shaping

Laser processing can be used to produce optical components with complex geometries. Our processes include the following::

  • Selective laser-induced etching (SLE): A key advantage is that the front, back, and edge surfaces of an optical element can be machined in a single clamping operation, ensuring that all three are manufactured within tolerance relative to one another—limited only by the process and machine accuracy. Set-up times for reclamping and alignment are, thus, eliminated.
  • Laser ablation: This process can efficiently produce aspheres or freeform optics from inexpensive spherical or planar substrates.

→ Learn More About Glass Processing

From design to finishing to assembly, from draft to final inspection: the new laser process chain for optics at the Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen.
From design to finishing to assembly, from draft to final inspection: the new laser process chain for optics at the Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen.

Polishing

Laser polishing reduces the surface roughness of optical components and eliminates sub-surface damage (SSD) through thermal smoothing. The processing times are in the range of seconds and are almost independent of the geometry, whether spherical, aspherical or free-form.

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Precision shape correction

Laser beam figuring (LBF) can be used to post-process optical surfaces to a vertical resolution in the single-digit nanometer range and lateral resolution < 50 µm. This enables users to correct all types of imperfections from shape errors up to mid-spatial frequency errors (MSFE) at high-precision.

→ Learn More About Polishing

Adjustment and packaging

We develop processes for the precise alignment and assembly of optical components. This includes innovative bonding and soldering processes for robust and durable optical systems.

→ Learn More About Packaging

Support processes

In addition to direct production, we offer supplementary processes:

  • Laser-based marking and labeling of optical components
  • Separation processes for glass, e.g. for wafer-based optics production
  • Measurement technology and characterization for the highest quality standards

→ Learn More About Marking

→ Learn More About Glass Processing

Research and industry cooperation

With over 15 scientific employees and numerous industrial partners, we are driving forward the development of new laser-based optical manufacturing processes. Through our close cooperation with industry and funded research projects, we are shaping the future of optics manufacturing with state-of-the-art laser technology.

 

© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.

»Design of Freeform Optics«

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»Optics Design and Diode Lasers«

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© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.

»Laser Polishing and Ablation for the Production of Glass Optics«

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Project Results

Here you will find a selection of approved project results (annual reports), as PDF downloads, from the range of products and services on “Laser Based Optics Manufracturing“ from the last few years.

Publications

Kind, H., Aden, M., Brackmann, F., Brosda, M., Olowinsky A., Schütze, C., Schumann, O.:
Development of a Laser-based Process to Produce a Hermetically Sealed Contacting Interface for the Encapsulation of Temperature-sensitive Electronic Components.
Journal of Laser Applications 37(1), 012002, (8 S.), (2025)
https://doi.org/10.2351/7.0001550

Fu, C., Onyszkiewicz, D., Kemmerling, M., Stollenwerk, J., Holly, C.:
Evaluation of action spaces for reinforcement learning in optical design.
SPIE Photonics Europe, 2024, 7-12 April 2024, Strasbourg, France.
Proceedings Volume 13017, Machine Learning in Photonics; 130170X (2024)
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3016630

Esser, D., Giesberts, M., Erben, B., Nyga, S., Kasemann, R., Wührer, C., Hahn, S., Leyendecker, M., Eßer, J., Wirz, W., Klein, S., Traub, M., Klein, J., Brandenburg, W., Luttmann, K., Mohr, D., Pérez Prieto, L., Hoffmann, H.-D,
Optomechanical design of a 150 mJ single frequency UV laser for the AEOLUS-2 mission.
International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2022, 3-7 October 2022, Dubrovnik, Croatia. Proceedings Volume 12777, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2022; 127770N (2023).
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2688830

Fu, C., Kemmerling, M., Stollenwerk, J., Holly, C.:
Ansätze für die Entwicklung von optischen Systemen mittels bestärkenden Lernens.
124. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für angewandte Optik e.V., 30.05.2023-03.06.2023, Berlin.
DGaO-Proceedings, B10,(2 S.) (2023)

Fu, C., Stollenwerk, J., Holly, C.:
Reinforcement learning for guiding optimization processes in optical design.
SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2022, San Diego, California, United States.
Proceedings Volume 12227, Applications of Machine Learning 2022; 1222709 (2022)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2632425

Grubert, N., Lange, O., Stollenwerk, J., Holly, C.,
Optomechanische Toleranzangaben aus dem Optikdesign nach ISO-GPS-Norm.
123. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für angewandte Optik, 7.-11.Juni 2022, Pforzheim. DGaO-Proceedings 123_A32 (2022)

Lüttgenau, B., Panitzek, D., Danylyuk, S., Brose, S., Stollenwerk, J., Loosen, P., Holly, C.:
Design of an efficient illuminator for partially coherent sources in the extreme ultraviolet.
APPLIED OPTICS 61(11), 3026-3033 (2022)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/ao.452204 (Open Access)

Trum, C., Jung, M., Schmidbauer, B., Sitzberger, S., Willenborg, E., Rascher, R.:
Hybrid-process-chain for polishing optical glass lenses – HyoptO.
SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 24 AUGUST - 4 SEPTEMBER 2020, Online Only. Proceedings Volume 11487, FOptical Manufacturing and Testing XIII, 11487, 1-10 (2020)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2568400

Prochnau,M., Stollenwerk, J., Loosen, P.:
Approach towards the digital optical twin.
International Optical Design Conference - IODC 2017,09-13 July 2017 Denver United States. Proc. SPIE 10590, International Optical Design Conference 2017, 1059021, (6 S.), 1-6 (2017)
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2287492

Traub, M., Holly, C., Hoffmann, D., Widmann, C., Zuerbig, V., Nebel, C.:
Synthetic Mono-Crystalline Diamond Lenses for High Power Laser Materials Processing Applications.
OSA Optical Design and Fabrication Congress, IODC 2017, 09 - 13 July 2017, Denver, Colorado, United States.Optics InfoBase Conference PapersVolume Part F56-OFT 2017, 2017, 1-3 (2017)
https://doi.org/10.1364/OFT.2017.OTu3B.3

 

Unsere Leistungsangebote decken ein weites Themenspektrum ab. Verwandte Themen zur Optikfertigung und weitere Schwerpunkte aus Forschung und Entwicklung finden Sie unter den folgenden Links.

Markets

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.

Read up about the innovations of the Fraunhofer ILT in a few selected industries and convince yourself!

Technology Focus

 

© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.

Research with us!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about general topics! Our contact persons are happy to get in touch with you.

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