Photonics West 2025 - Fraunhofer IKTS

Trade fair / January 28, 2025 - January 30, 2025

SPIE Photonics West 2025

The world’s premier lasers, biomedical optics and biophotonic technologies, quantum, and optoelectronics event.

Fraunhofer IKTS will present its competencies in the area of transparent ceramics as part of the German Pavilion:

Hall F, Booth 4205-29

At Fraunhofer IKTS, the research and development of high-purity transparent ceramics for optical systems, medical technology and ballistic protection is being steadily expanded. A technical infrastructure has been integrated at Fraunhofer IKTS on the basis of PERLUCOR®, which cover the complete value chain for transparent parts and components. The new research and development center will help to significantly expand the current application scenarios of transparent ceramics with mature technologies.

Event details

Program

Presentation

Dr. Martin Drüe

January 28, 2025 | 1:15 pm | Moscone West, Room 2014

Processing of transparent oxide ceramic materials for infrared sensor applications

Location

SPIE Photonics West – German Pavillion
The Moscone Center
747 Howard Street
San Francisco, California 94103

Date

January 28, 2025 - January 30, 2025

Current application scenarios for transparent ceramics with mature technologies:

Ceramic implants

As part of the INTAKT research project a new generation of actively networked micro-implants was developed which provide an innovative approach for human-technology interaction. For an implant addressing gastrointestinal dysfunctions a rigid and hermetically sealed ceramic housing with sufficient break resistance and an optical window was developed. Transparent ceramic magnesium-aluminum spinel was chosen for its biocompatibility, transparency in the IR range and fracture strength.

Optics and sensor technology

Chemically and mechanically stable optics for sensor systems (driving assistance and transport systems, lidar sensors for autonomous driving), active light diffraction and guidance, laser head protection systems, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems.

Civil security

Chemical and mechanical protective covers for optical systems in harsh conditions (desert regions, subsea sensor systems, radiation-resistant lidar sensors on satellites, night vision devices, solar energy harvesting), ballistic protective windows and optics for vehicles, large-format scanner screens.

Interactive displays

Scratch-resistant displays, scanners and interactive buttons for vehicles and mobile devices. The use of transparent spinel ceramic for scanners and modern displays enables fast, safe, and error-free data collection and processing. A key application of PERLUCOR®: its extreme robustness and resistance to scratches, shocks, wear, chemicals, and breakage provide long-lasting protection in different kinds of displays.

Optical active materials

At IKTS, optically active ceramic powders are fabricated and processed to optical components. Therefore, the complete processing route is available, including materials development, powder synthesis with doping, powder processing, sintering and machining. YAG and LuAG ceramics, doped with different elements such as Ce, Mg, and Cr are developed and investigated with respect to their processability and optical properties. Targeted applications are white light sources, wavelength converters and Q-switches for laser pulsing applications.

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