Research Institutions

Micro actuators and sensors are the fundamentals of miniaturized, intelligent and networked systems. Since 2012, a completely new type of powerful actuators has been developed and tested in the project group Mesoscopic Actuators and Systems MESYS of the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS in cooperation with the Brandenburg University of Technology BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg. Electrostatic actuators are used to move plates or bend cantilevers and therefore deflect light or laser beams, move liquids or generate ultrasound. The researchers aim is to solve fundamental problems and limitations of conventional electrostatic actuators, for which large deflections can only be realized in combination with large dimensions and high energy consumption. Using a suitable lever principle, the researchers developed a new class of electrostatic bending actuators that of an extremely compact design, large deflections and no hysteresis. Using conventional silicon manufacturing processes, these new actuators can be integrated directly into semiconductor components and CMOS circuits, thus enabling cost-effective volume production. Thanks to high performance and scalability of the patented actuators, various fields of application and design possibilities can be adressed. Optical applications are, for example, high-precision positioning drives of micro-tilt mirrors or lens systems for laser beam deflection, pico projectors, 3D-endoscopes or microscopic applications. NED-actuators are also suitable as optical switches or the highly precise positioning of optical waveguides. Furthermore, a variety of non-optical applications can be addressed, such as micro pumps and valves for microfluidic systems or as miniaturized loudspeakers for hearing aids, smartphones and wearables. Contrary to existing micromechanical loudspeakers NED-based speakers offer both an extremely compact design and high performance.

BAM improves safety in technology and chemistry through research and development, testing, analysis, approvals, advice and information. Based on research work and long-term expert knowledge BAM department 6 (Materials Protection and Surface Technology) contributes to the functional reliability of technical products, constructions and plants which are subject to complex mechanical, chemical, physical, thermal or climate exposure. Optical methods and processes are used in divisions 6.4, 6.7, and 6.8.

Fraunhofer IZM specializes in industry-oriented applied research. Fraunhofer IZM develops assembly and interconnection technology, also known as electronic/photonic packaging. Almost invisible and undervalued by many, electronic packaging is at the heart of every electronic application. Our technologies connect the individual components, protect components and devices from vibration and moisture, and reliably dissipate heat. Fraunhofer IZM thus ensures that electronic devices continue to function reliably in even the harshest conditions – we even integrate electronics into golf balls. Modern packaging technologies make developing smaller and smaller products possible. We process ICs thinner than a sheet of paper.

The business area Photonics combines Fraunhofer IZM’s skills and know-how to tackle challenges in telecommunication, data communication, light generation, materials processing and optical sensors.
We pursue different goals in each of these areas. In communication, broadband capacity, power efficiency, high, heterogeneous packaging density are the main focus, while in lighting, we aim to improve high power density, thermal management, multifunctional integration, wavelength conversion and beam guiding. In sensor technology, application-specific heterointegration of excitation source, sensor and analysis electronics take center-stage. However, three goals are pursued across all these areas: volume adjusted manufacturing technology, cost-efficiency and high yield.

The centre for innovation competence innoFSPEC Potsdam pursues multidisciplinary research in the field of innovative fibre-optical spectroscopy and sensing. As a joint initiative of the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) and the Physical Chemistry group of Potsdam University (UPPC), innoFSPEC unites competences in the areas of imaging multichannel spectroscopy, fibre-optical chemical sensing and multidimensional data processing. Aside from physical-chemical analysis of gases, nano- and microstructured materials like emulsions and suspensions, chemical and biotechnological processes as well as medical applications, astrophotonic components (e.g. complex Fibre-Bragg Gratings) for astrophysical applications are within the focus of interest. Also du to its excellent experimental facilities, innoFSPEC enjoys vivid collaborations with many regional, national and international partners from academia and industry alike.

The group's activities are focused on the research of light-matter-interaction and its applications. The research, development and education are carried out in an international surrounding of science and industry. Different materials are investigated for their linear and nonlinear properties and transferred into possible applications. Current topics are:

Nonlinear Optics and Optical Spectroscopy

• Colloidal nanoparticles and quantum dots in life sciences, labeling, as a biomarker, in photovoltaics and as single-photon sources
• Semiconductor structures of low dimensionality and their optical properties
• Nanoscaled Quantum Systems as potential ultrafast amplifiers and switches
• Hybrid semiconductor / metal nanostructures for fundamental principles and applications in active and passive nano-plasmonics

Laser Development and Laser Material Processing

• Development of powerful diode and lamp pumped solid-state lasers in the near infrared spectral range from 1 to 2 µm, especially in the eye-safe region from 1.5 to 1.7 µm for material processing, medical and remote sensing applications
• Optimization of neodymium and erbium based laser sources with respect to their spectral and spatial characteristics
• Spectroscopic investigation of crystalline materials in terms of stimulated Raman scattering and further second and third order nonlinear effects
• Development of compact Raman lasers for efficient conversion of the emission wavelength of existing laser sources

Optical Thin Film Coatings

• Calculation, preparation and characterization of dielectric and metal thin film systems for reflective and anti-reflective optical surfaces and for the production of spectral filters, beam splitters and functionalized surfaces
• Antireflection coatings of the terminal surfaces of glass fibers used for the construction of fiber lasers and for transmitting high laser power, e.g. used in material processing and medical therapeutic applications
• Manufacture of hybrid thin film structures on the end-faces of optical fibers for the development of optical fiber sensors, fiber coupled modulators for data communication, and other innovative applications

Silicon-Photonics

• Development and characterisation of integrated electro-optic components fabricated in a BiCMOS production process on Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) wafers. This includes the development of optical couplers, splitters, spectral filters and resonators as well as active electro-optic structures e.g. modulators, Raman amplifiers and delay generators
• In addition, complex photonic integrated circuits are designed for transceiver applications in optical data communication
• The worldwide smallest high speed modulator in SOI has been demonstrated at the Institute of Optics an Atomic Physics

Die Physikalische Chemie der Universität Potsdam (UPPC, s.www.chem.uni-potsdam.de/groups/pc) ist Teil des Instituts für Chemie und hat ihren Sitz am neuen naturwissenschaftlichen Campus in Potsdam-Golm, der Teil des Golmer Wissenschaftsparks ist. Unter Leitung von Prof. Dr. Hans-Gerd Löh-mannsröben, apl. Prof. Dr. Michael U. Kumke und JProf. Dr. Ilko Bald führt UPPC die Ausbildung in den naturwiss. Bachelor- und Masterstudiengängen in der Teildisziplin „Physikalische Chemie“ durch und ist stark in der Doktorandenausbildung engagiert. Sehr erfolgreich ist die Beteiligung an der Graduiertenschule SALSA, 2012 Siegerin im Exzellenzwettbewerb des Bundes und der Länder.

Grundlagen- und Anwendungsforschung in Photochemie und Photophysik, Laserspektroskopie und optischer Sensorik sind die Kernkompetenzen von UPPC. Die Untersuchung von elementaren Gasphasenreaktionen mit laserbasierter Ionenmobilitäts (IM)-Spektrometrie als ein spannendes Beispiel für die Erforschung von fundamentalen physiko-chemischen Phänomenen und die Entwicklung optischer Detektionsschemata für die point-of-care Diagnostik von Biomarkern für Lungenkrebs- und Alzheimer-Erkrankun¬gen verdeutlichen das breite Spektrum der Aktivitäten und Expertisen.
Die Berufung von JProf. Dr. Ilko Bald (Jan. 2013) ist eine wichtige wissenschaftliche und personelle Verstärkung (s. www.uni-potsdam.de/osci). Beispiele für faser-basierte optische Methoden, in denen UPPC eine führende Rolle innehat, sind die Photonendichtewellen (PDW)-Spektroskopie (Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Preis für Dr. Oliver Reich 2014, spin-off-Firma PDW Analytics) sowie die O2- und pH-Sensorik auf mikroskopischer und zellulärer Ebene (spin-off-Firma Colibri Photo¬nics). Die hervorragende F&ampE-Infrastruktur verbun-den mit einer erstklassigen instrumentellen Ausstattung, beides noch deutlich gesteigert durch den Bezug des Drittmittelzentrums (Haus 29) im Herbst 2013, sowie die ausgeprägte interdisziplinäre Anlage der Forschungsthemen zeichnen UPPC als exzellenten Forschungspartner aus. Derzeit sind ca. 50 Mitarbeiter/innen an 15 F&E-Vor-haben mit regionalen, nationalen und internationalen Forschungs- und Industriepartnern beteiligt. Gemeinsam mit dem Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam (AIP) wird UPPC das Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz inno-FSPEC Potsdam, gerade (August 2016) mit der weiteren BMBF-Förderung 2016 – 2020 ausgezeichnet, zu einem nationalen Exzellenzzentrum für faseroptische Spektroskopie und Sensorik entwickeln.

F&E-Programme und Projekte von UPPC (Auswahl, Kurztitel, Stichpunkte i. Klammern)

(I) „Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz inno-FSPEC Potsdam. Innovative faseroptische Spektroskopie und Sensorik“, Sieger in BMBF-Wettbewerben 2008 und 2015 (faserbasierte chemische Sensorik und optische Vielkanalspektroskopie, Vielfachstreuung, Photonendichtewellen, Angewandte Analytische Photonik, seit 2009).

(II) „Geochemische Radionuklidrückhaltung an Zementalterationsphasen (GRaZ)“, BMWi-Verbundvorhaben (molekulares Prozessverständnis, Wechselwirkungen von Lanthanoiden mit Komponenten homogener und heterogener salinarer Systeme, 2015 – 2018).

(III) Nachwuchsgruppe „Angewandte Laser-sensorik in komplexen Biosystemen (ALS ComBi)“, BMBF, Sieger im Wettbewerb Inno-Profile-Transfer 2012 (super resolution Spek-troskopie, Einzelmolekül- &amp Einzelzell-Detek-tion, photonische Kristallfasern, Atomkraft-Mikroskopie, Optogenetik, 2012 – 2017).

(IV) „School of Analytical Sciences Adlershof (SALSA)“, Exzellenzgraduiertenschule (Analytik in Bio- und Lebenswissenschaften, Bild¬gebung und Mikroskopie, 2012 – 2019, derzeit 6 Doktoranden bzw. Doktorandinnen).

(V) „Nanopartikel-basierte photonische Vor-Ort-Analytik von Endotoxinen in Biopharmazeutika (EndoProve)“, BMBF-Verbundprojekt (Quantenpunkte als photonische Sonden, Aptamere-Erkennungselemente, 2015 – 2018).

(VI) „Entwicklung innovativer bestandsspezifischer Impfstoffe für Geflügel, innoVAK4¬DART“, BMEL-Verbundprojekt (Charakterisierung von Bakterien durch Fluoreszenzmikroskopie und Durchflußzytometrie, Photo-Inaktivierung, 2014 – 2017).

(VII) „Sensorsystem für Methan-Monitoring b. Schiefergasgewinnung“, BMWi ZIM-Koop.-Projekt, (CH4-Lasersensorik, 2014 – 2016).

(VIII) „Rohstoffscreening mit spektral-opti-schen Verfahren bei der Getreidelagerung (OptiScreen)“, BMEL-Verbundprojekt (Myko-toxin-Detektion, Fluoreszenzspektroskopie an Getreide, IMS-Analytik, 2015 – 2018).

(IX) „Intelligence for Soil. Integrated System for Site-Specific Soil Fertility Management (I4S)”, BMBF-Verbundvorhaben (2015 – 18).

(X) „Photonisch-mikrofluidisches Produktionsverfahren zur ultraschnellen Herstellung maßgeschneiderter monoklonaler Antikörper (Affinity Track)“. StaF-Programm (2017 – 19)

(XI) Industrieprojekte “UV Absorber” und “Lebensmitteldispersionen (2016 – 17)

Instrumentierung von UPPC

Umfassende optisch-spektroskopische Instrumentierung, Spektralbereich 200 nm – 10 µm, hohe spektrale, zeitliche (sub ps) und räumliche (sub µm) Auflösung, Mikroskopie und Bildgebung. Erstklassige instrumentelle Ausstattung mit Investitionsmaßnahmen von ca. 10 Mio. € seit 2001. Derzeit Ausstattung s. www.chem.uni-potsdam.de/groups/pc/. Beispiele:

• Diverse Laserapparaturen mit Absorptions- und Emissionsdetektion
• Einzelmolekülspektrometer
• Fluorescence-Imaging-Mikroskop-System
• PDW-, Lichtstreu- und Photonenkorrelationsspektrometer
• Ionenmobilitäts- und Massenspektrometer
• Fasertechnologie und –fusionsspleißgerät
• Ultrakurzpuls Ti:Sa-Laser mit Nachver-stärkung, Frequenzkonversion und OPA
• Schreibstand für Faser-Bragg-Gitter
• Durchflusszytometer
• Mikro-Thermophorese NanoTemper

The main task of the company is to organize a modern and competitive knowledge and technology transfer at the University of Potsdam as well as in the region, but also on a national and international scale. The goal is the effective addition of excellence in research and teaching by a professional transfer of results from science and research.

The Department of Executive Education currently focuses on:
• Master degree programs in the areas of Public Administration and Private Management,
• Certificate courses in Mediation
• Scientific training courses;
• International projects in further education;
• Projects for refugees and migrants.

The projects of the Department of Applied Research &amp Development mainly focus on:
• Basic research;
• Applied research and development;
• Contract research;
• Scientific and technical consulting and services.

Important research areas are especially antibody research, inorganic chemistry research to improve the recycling of valuable precious and rare earth metals, laser development, material research of innovative polymer materials, geoscience research and consulting services.

The Department of UP Transfer Services offers the following services:
• Conference services mainly for scientific events;
• Patent licensing for higher education and research institutions of Brandenburg (Project “Brainshell”);
• UniShop of the University of Potsdam, selling a great variety of merchandising products;
• Project management and controlling;
• Administrative services.