Making innovations a reality - at the LASER World of Photonics in Munich from June 24th to 27th, 2019, the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) will be presenting research and development in the field of photonics and laser technology. Using examples from current research projects, visitors can find out how specific questions and problems are transformed into robust processes and systems. The LZH can be found in hall A3 on stand 206.
This year’s trade fair highlights are:
- Optical Components: Coating. Characterization.
Digitalization - Laser Development: Custom Solutions.
- Biophotonics: Food & Farming. Imaging
- Material Processing: Systems. Control. Safety.
- Additive Manufacturing: Powder. Wire. Liquids.
For example, the research center from Hannover shows how, in the future, unexploded bombs can be defused more safely with a 3D-printed laser processing head with standard optical components. In addition, a processing head for the internal laser machining, the LZH-IBK, will be presented. This head makes it possible to roughen internal cylindrical surfaces like those in an engine block. A third mobile, hand-held laser processing head is designed to help emergency teams in traffic accidents to easily and safely cut vehicles. In that way, a quick rescue of injured persons shall be ensured in the future.
Customized laser processing systems
The LZH will be exhibiting its own laser processing heads, each designed and adapted for very specific scenarios: a coaxial laser-wire processing head for flexible deposition welding and a double-scan head for spatially flexible and high-resolution real-time control during material processing.
Unique laser systems for space and research
For the search for life on Mars, the LZH has developed a laser for the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument. This laser will be part of the ExoMars 2020 mission. At LASER, the LZH will present the flight model of the MOMA laser.
In addition, the scientists are demonstrating high-power single-frequency fiber amplifier systems for the next generation of gravitational wave detection. Likewise, these systems shall be used in optical communication (optical radio relay) and in quantum technologies.
Digitization in the optics sector
At the trade fair, the LZH will be presenting what the future of optics manufacturing will look like. Among other things, the scientists will be showing new coating concepts for frequency conversion. These are more efficient, more compact and more stable than conversion crystals and could replace them in the future. Furthermore, concepts for loss-free, ultra-fast optical switches are presented, which are also suitable for high-power lasers. These components convey the laser power in a loss-free way and allow significantly more powerful ultra-short pulse lasers already in the oscillator stage.
Current process controls and state-of-the-art control will show how digitization in optical thin-film production can be raised to the next level.
Furthermore, the LZH shows the entire range of innovative laser processing concepts, from Additive Manufacturing to the classic laser material processing of metals, plastics, composites and glass. In addition, the research center will show concepts for weed control with the laser.
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