Fraunhofer Group for Light & Surfaces

Surface technology and photonics – two of the core competencies of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft – have a close and complex interrelationship. Surface technology is of vital importance in the manufacture of optical and optoelectronic components and products. At the same time, laser technology is taking on an increasingly important role in manufacturing and metrology processes in the field of surface technology.

As technological progress gains momentum, these two key technologies are steadily being incorporated in a growing number of applications, including production systems, optical sensor systems, IC technology and biomedical engineering.

The key competencies of this Fraunhofer Group include the development of thin-film systems and coating processes for multiple applications, surface functionalization, the development of laser sources and of micro-optical and precision-engineered systems, materials processing and optical metrology.