Centre of Competence for Laser, Optics, optical Technology and Systems (LOTuS)

The Centre of Competence for Laser, Optics, optical Technology and Systems (LOTuS) brings together all the research and development work in the areas of optics and optical technologies in the departments of Information Technology-Electrical Engineering (IEM), Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Data Processing (MND), and of the Optics Center in Wetzlar which conducts application-oriented research on optical technologies together with cooperating regional optics companies.

The optical measurement technology and sensors developed are used, among other things, in the monitoring of automated manufacturing processes in the field of Industry 4.0. The same applies to the additive manufacturing of metallic components with high structural resolution using the LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) method, which meets the high accuracy and surface requirements of optical elements. In addition, developments in artificial intelligence, autonomous mobility, miniaturisation and lightweight structural engineering in particular offer promising potential for innovations and new developments in the field of optics, as they are largely determined by optical systems and optical measurement or manufacturing processes.

Key areas of research

• Laser technology and optical measurement technology
  • Laser process technology
  • Additive precision manufacturing
  • Surface analysis and thin-film technology
• Measurement technology for optical systems and quality assurance
  • Measuring methods for surface geometry and centricity
• Optical design, development and application of optical systems
  • Optical measurement technology, X-ray cameras, robust sensor technology for IoT / Industry 4.0 / physical web
  • Hybrid optics: combination of additively manufactured support structures with conventional optical elements
  • Optical imaging systems and systems for ophthalmology

Future areas of interest

• Optical systems for fundamental research, medical applications or autonomous mobility
• Optical sensor technology and measurement technologies for use in IoT, Industry 4.0 and the physical web
• Optical measurement technology for monitoring automated manufacturing processes or for autonomous applications in industry and transportation
• Additive manufacturing of metallic components with high structural resolution
• Material- and process-based development of laser systems for material processing
• Development of optical systems, optimised as a unit with AI components for information evaluation or process control
• Medical optical devices