In the HiPEQ project, a consortium of industry and research partners has developed new laser-based approaches to enable miniaturized, robust beam sources for quantum technology. Among others, the consortium also used lasers to grow novel optical insulator crystals. The project achieved significant progress from November 2021 to July 2025. Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen played a key role by co-developing the laser processes needed.
Currently, beam sources for quantum technology applications are often complex, large, and not robust enough for field use. What is needed, then, are miniaturized systems that are as versatile as possible. The BMFTR-funded project "HiPEQ—Highly Integrated PIC-Based ECDLs for Quantum Technology" has developed such a beam source.
Coordinated by TOPTICA, later a systems integrator, a consortium of industry and research partners has built prototypes of two miniaturized laser sources. With external dimensions of just 22 x 9 x 6 cm³, they provide enough space for all system components. The design can also be adapted to other wavelengths, making them suitable for a wide range of quantum technology applications.
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