Continuing the Journey: Dr. Stefan Schippel Unveils Future Developments in 2 Micron Innovation

In the second part of our interview series, our Project Coordinator, Dr. Stefan Schippel, shares insights into the upcoming developments in the 2 micron project.

Annekathrin: What do you think will be the expected outcome of the project and which problems will be solved?

Stefan: The anticipated outcome of this project is the development of enhanced optics and metrology tools for ultrafast 2 µm lasers, which opens up new possibilities for processing materials and expanding the range of applications in various industries.

Annekathrin: Which industries benefit most from the 2 µm wavelength?

Stefan: The 2 µm-wavelength is essential in several industries. For example, it is used for medical procedures because of the strong absorption of organic materials in this wavelength range. In materials processing, 2 µm offer advantages over 1 µm for working with organic materials and silicon. Additionally the alliance involves applications for processing of smart textiles, glasses, ceramics and metals. Processes like joining, cutting, ablation, volume modification, and 3D printing will be under investigation.

Annekathrin: What are the specific technological challenges involved?

Stefan: Working with very thick coatings at 2 µm results in challenges related to absorption losses, process stability, coating stress and the need for new metrology tools. Water absorption also plays a significant role, as many applications require water-free coatings.

Annekathrin: Stefan, I have one last question for you. What do you think are the main benefits for the end user?

Stefan: The development of 2 µm wavelength technology benefits all industries represented by our project partners, enabling them to operate more efficiently and effectively in their respective fields. The 2 micron -consortium will finally be able to choose between 1 µm- and 2 µm technology to find the best solution for any applications of our partners.

Annekathrin: Thank you for sharing this valuable information about LAYERTEC GmbH and its involvement in the project.