The international optics community met in 2023 for the first time in the so-called "City of Light" Jena/ Germany at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF. On the occasion of the renowned conference "Optical Coatings for Laser Applications OCLA", RhySearch as co-organizer welcomed more than 100 participants of the optics community. The "City of Light" Jena is an international center for optics and photonics.
Now in its eighth year, the internationally renowned coating experts came together to share experiences on the latest research results in the field of optical coatings for laser applications. The OCLA Symposium is an annual event for technically interested engineers and scientists working on laser optics, high quality optical coatings, thin film deposition and characterization. The host in 2023 was the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF. The IOF conducts application-oriented research and development along the entire photonic innovation chain. In addition to many experts from Germany, participants traveled to Jena from Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and the USA.
Two days of intensive networking
At the lecture of the conference there was the possibility for exciting company visits at the companies Materion Balzers Optic Group and LASOS Lasertechnik GmbH. This opportunity was actively used by the participants. The tour of Leuchtenburg Castle followed by the networking dinner was also very much appreciated, so that more than 60 people already took advantage of the networking opportunity at the pre-event.
Presentation by RhySearch expert
Manuel Bärtschi from RhySearch reported in his presentation on a research project for the production of quantized nanolaminates. These represent a novel metamaterial for modeling optical interference filters. As a result, they can now be used for the first time in high volume and as a stand-alone material, helping to produce the lowest possible loss designs in the semiconductor, electro-optics or photonics industries.
What are optical coatings?
Wafer-thin optical coatings - more than a thousand times thinner than a human hair - can be used to influence the optical properties of lenses, mirrors, displays and sensors. Optical coatings are therefore found in many high-tech industrial applications, such as the laser industry or optical sensor technology, but also in smartphones.
Date for 2024 already fixed.
Next year's OCLA will take place on April 16, 2024 in Buchs at the RhySearch laboratories.
Link OCLA Website: OCLA Network – Optical Coatings for Laser Applications
Contact for questions
Heidi Thomé
Department leader Optical Coatings and Characterization
T +41 81 755 49 66
