Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

Fraunhofer ILT – this abbreviation has stood for combined know-how in the sector of laser technology for more than 30 years. Innovative solutions for manufacturing and production, development of new technical components, competent consultation and education, highly specialized personnel, state-of-the-art technology as well as international references: these are guarantees for long-term partnerships. The numerous customers of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT come from branches such as automobile and machine construction, the chemical industry and electrical engineering, the aircraft industry, precision engineering, medical technology and optics. With around 570 employees and more than 19,500 m² net floor space, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT is among the most significant contracting research and development institutes in its sector worldwide.

The four technology areas of the Fraunhofer ILT cover a wide spectrum of topics within laser technology. In the technology area “Lasers and Optics“ we develop tailor-made beam sources as well as optical components and systems. The spectrum reaches from freeform optics over diode and solid-state lasers all the way to fiber and ultrashort pulse lasers. In addition to the development, manufacture and integration of components and systems, we also address optics design, modeling and packaging. In the technology area “Laser Material Processing“ we solve tasks involving cutting, ablating, drilling, cleaning, welding, soldering, marking as well as surface treatment and micromanufacturing. Process development and systems engineering stands in the foreground, which includes machine and control engineering, process and beam monitoring as well as modeling and simulation. Along with partners from life sciences, Fraunhofer ILT’s experts in the technology field “Medical Technology and Biophotonics“ open up new laser applications in bioanalytics, laser microscopy, clinical diagnostics, laser therapy, biofunctionalization and biofabrication. The development and manufacture of implants, microsurgical and microfluidics systems and components also count among the core activities here. In the technology area “Laser Measurement Technology and EUV Technology“ we develop processes and systems for our customers which conduct inline measurement of physical and chemical parameters in a process line. In addition to production measurement technology and material analysis, environment and safety as well as recycling and raw materials lie in the focus of our contract research. With EUV technology, we are entering the submicron world of semiconductors and biology.