The four-story OPTICUM is located in the ScienceArea 30X (formerly Hannover-Marienwerder Science Park). In the future, almost 120 optical researchers from Leibniz University Hannover will work there together with project partners from the TU Braunschweig and the LZH - Laser Zentrum Hannover, etc. V. to investigate how complex optical systems can be realized using modern manufacturing processes – e.g., 3D printing – at a fraction of today's price and in a short development time. The new research building will then have sufficient offices, laboratories, and experimental halls to assemble the fully networked production platform in one place.
The desired paradigm shift in optics production is made possible by two trends: more powerful data processing and improved (additive) manufacturing methods. It will enable the scientists to realize a digitally and physically networked production platform for optical components and systems. This requires not only measurement and production technology and a great deal of computing power but also the development of algorithms and novel optical composite materials consisting, among other things, of glass and plastic. The production platform planned for the OPTICUM will be able to monitor the quality of the optics during production and correct manufacturing defects in real-time.
The OPTICUM will be managed by the Leibniz Research School for Optics and Photonics (LSO), which was founded in spring 2020. It is closely linked to the PhoenixD Cluster of Excellence and is equivalent in structure to a faculty.
The federal government, the state of Lower Saxony and Leibniz University Hannover will share the total construction costs of 89 million euros. The construction is being carried out closely with the general planner Henn Architekten.
Learn more about this new optics centre in the capital of Lower Saxony here.
