The summer school program was very varied. It started with a solo on the electric guitar. Did you know that the vibrations of a guitar string can teach us a lot about optical frequency conversion? In addition to exciting lectures on topics such as nonlinear optics, digital holography, infrared technology and spectroscopy, participants experimented with laser scanning, a “laser maze,” crystal growth and schlieren photography. The students were given the opportunity to visit the laboratories and ask the researchers and institute directors questions. They gained insight into applied research and learned about career opportunities at Fraunhofer. This was well appreciated: »I really loved the whole experience. The idea of connecting fundamental research with industry came across clearly in every visit and lecture, and that’s something that really resonates with me.«

Lasers, photonics and surfaces are three topics that connect the Fraunhofer Institutes of the Fraunhofer Light & Surfaces Group. At this year’s Summer School, three of these institutes gave participants an insight into application-oriented research in this field: Fraunhofer IPM (Freiburg), Fraunhofer IOSB (Karlsruhe/Ettlingen), and Fraunhofer ILT (Aachen).

Dr. Milena Hugenschmidt, head of the organization team and Scientific Officer Institute Management at Fraunhofer IPM, accompanied the participants on their journey. She was impressed by their curiosity: »It's wonderful to see how enthusiastic the participants are about our applied research and how much knowledge they already have. We hope to welcome many of them back soon, either as employees or as collaborative partners.«

More information about Fraunhofer Photonica: 

The Summer School Fraunhofer Photonica is organized by the Fraunhofer Group for Light & Surfaces. Its aim is to spark young, talented scientists’ interest in the subject area of the Fraunhofer Group and to show them career opportunities offered by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in general and the Group in particular. The focus is knowledge transfer, particularly in the field of photonics and surfaces – in theory and practice. Fraunhofer Photonica targets students who are interested in photonics and potentially see their future in this subject area. The event language is English. Information about, e.g., the application process, can be found here.

The first Fraunhofer Photonica Summer School took place in 2023. During the two-week program, participants traveled from Fraunhofer IPM in Freiburg to Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen and Fraunhofer IWS and Fraunhofer FEP in Dresden, concluding their journey at Fraunhofer IOF in Jena. The following year, participants went on a one-week trip, visiting Fraunhofer IST in Braunschweig, Fraunhofer IOF in Jena, Fraunhofer IWS and FEP in Dresden, and Fraunhofer HHI in Berlin.

Information about the Fraunhofer Group for Light & Surfaces:

The Fraunhofer Group for Light & Surfaces combines competencies of five Fraunhofer institutes in the fields of lasers, optics, metrology and coating technology. Members are the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF (Jena), the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT (Aachen), the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP (Dresden), the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM (Freiburg) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS (Dresden). Guest members are the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST (Braunschweig), the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institut HHI (Berlin) and the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB (Karlsruhe). The Central Office is currently at Fraunhofer IPM in Freiburg. Prof. Dr. Karsten Buse, Director of Fraunhofer IPM, is Chairman of the Group. Head of the Central Office is Dr. Heinrich Stülpnagel. Find more information here.