When endowed professor Markus Degünther gave his lecture on the opening of the optics center in Wetzlar in December 2018, he focused on one target: the center should grow to ten employees within five years. A mark that has almost been reached after less than two years: Degünther and his team are seven in the Wetzlarer Spilburg, not only working on the establishment of the master's degree in "Optical Systems Engineering", but also on four larger projects, for which the center already has around has acquired 1.7 million euros in research funds. Application-related projects, which should always result in real products - a device, an innovative process or a new method.
"With the exception of one position from the university, these are all positions from third-party funds," explains Degünther. Proof of how popular the research is that is carried out by the THM in the heart of the Hessian optics industry. The optics center is not only growing in terms of personnel, but also in terms of space: Degünther initially had half a floor of a former military building in the former Spilburg barracks at his disposal. The center now occupies the entire floor and also runs a laboratory in the basement. "The conditions here are favorable for this," explains Markus Degünther: An extremely stable subsoil allows high-precision measurements. Because under the building is an old reinforced concrete bunker. There are hardly any vibrations from the traffic on the nearby state road to Dutenhofen.
Even students have already seen the laboratory - not a matter of course under corona conditions. Trade fairs and specialist conferences, for example, are canceled worldwide. However, the lecture and seminar room of the center will be used for the first time in the future. However, not yet with their own academic offspring. "Our master's programme is expected to start in the 2022/23 winter semester," says Degünther. His first target is around 15 to 20 students.
And they should also gather practical experience as quickly as possible. It is the young researchers who work on the projects in the optics center wherever possible. At the same time, the students learn in a very practical way how to tackle tasks that are typical for optical technology companies. This is intended to help you get started in your professional life – preferably in the region. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, the Hessian Ministry of Science or the EU, the center not only works with companies from Central Hesse, but also, for example, with the Justus Liebig University in Gießen or with specialists from southern Germany or other European countries.
The "XCam" project, for example, which Degünther is researching with the Czech partners ELI Beams and RIGAKU, is close to industry. The aim is to develop a high-precision, ultra-fast X-ray camera system. Such systems are used in quality assurance or in basic research. A camera and optics are to be developed in Wetzlar, and the X-ray source and an X-ray analysis test station in the Czech Republic. The greatest challenge here is to make the components, which are based on industry standards, resistant to radiation.
The 3D printer produces frames for which Degünther sees great future potential: Every optical element, such as a lens, has minimal bumps and defects, even in mass production. Precisely measured, Degünther wants to offer monolithic frames from a single print that already compensate for these individual errors. Since they do not have any moving parts, the optics manufactured in this way are particularly suitable for use under harsh conditions: in industrial plants, for example, or in places that are difficult to access for maintenance. Because optics and sensors are also playing an increasingly important role in the "Internet of Things", Degünther sees potential for inexpensive mass production.
At the same time, it is also basic research that the center conducts. "Above all, we want to show a 'proof of principle'," says Degünther about the 3D-printed frames. Prove that something can be done. For example in the "Project DHS", which aims to simplify and at the same time improve the precise measurement of optical systems. A mathematical model is required for this. Or the “magµman” project, which is intended to result in attachment lenses for microscopes in which none of the components are magnetic. A prerequisite for being able to work with high precision with magnetically manipulable carrier media without falsifying measurement results.
For projects like these, Markus Degünther would like to see THM 's optical expertise bundled, "ideally under one roof," as he says - because the professional exchange in the tea kitchen should not be underestimated. The combination of several working groups means that the second, long-term goal from his inaugural speech can also be achieved: In December 2018, the endowed professor spoke of 50 to 100 employees at the Optics Center within the first ten years.