Together with project partners from the TU Braunschweig and the Laser Zentrum Hannover e. V., LUH optics researchers are investigating how complex optical systems can be realised in a short development time using modern manufacturing processes - for example 3D printing - for a fraction of today's price.
The desired paradigm shift in optics production is made possible by two trends: more powerful data processing and improved (additive) manufacturing methods. This enables the scientists to realise a digitally and physically networked production platform for optical components and systems. This requires not only measurement and production technology and a lot of computing power, but also the development of algorithms and new types of optical composite materials consisting of glass and plastic, among other things. With the production platform planned for the future research building, the quality of the optics can not only be checked during ongoing production, but production defects can also be corrected in real time.
The new research building will then have enough offices, laboratories and test halls to assemble the fully networked production platform in one place and work on it together, interdisciplinary.