Simulation – Optics and Lasers

Various laser-based processes can be designed more efficiently and individually, or even implemented in the first place by means of software for modeling and simulation. Fraunhofer ILT has developed, for example, software tools that enable it to specifically design a laser beam for specific tasks by shaping the intensity profile. Thus, the solutions it has worked out are suitable for optimizing laser-based applications in medicine or the laser cutting of glass, metals or other materials.

Fraunhofer ILT also develops algorithms for the design of optical free-form surfaces. With such algorithms, the laser power can be redistributed through refraction and reflection of light and, thus, desired intensity profiles can be generated. In this case, refractive and reflective surfaces can be combined in an optical element and desired power density distributions obtained with maximum light output. Thanks to targeted optical design, virtual prototypes can initially be developed, whose properties are verified with simulation software. The institute uses commercial tools as well as those it has developed to design optics and help verify the lighting function and to determine the influence of manufacturing and assembly tolerances.

The range of services includes not only simulation and modeling but also individual consultation.

Mathematical Modeling of Physical Processes

• Wave optics (physical optics)
• Geometrical optics
• Hydromechanics, structural mechanics
• Data assessment (statistics, classification, etc.)
  

Numerics

• Solution of partial differential equations
• Large scale numerical optimization
• Classification, genetic algorithms, etc.

Software Tools Development

• Physical optics simulation tool OPT
• Free-form optics design software

Holters, M., Dirks, S., Stollenwerk, J., Loosen, P.:
Automated and model-based assembly of an anamorphic telescope.
SPIE OPTO, 22 February 2018, San Francisco, California, United States.
Proc. SPIE 10538, Optical Interconnects XVIII, 105380U (10 S.) (2018)
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2291910

Prochnau, M., Stollenwerk, J., Loosen, P.:
Approach towards the digital optical twin.
International Optical Design Conference - IODC 2017,09-13 July 2017 Denver United States.
Proc. SPIE 10590, International Optical Design Conference 2017, 1059021, (6 S.) (2017)
https://doi.org/10.1364/IODC.2017.ITh3A.1

Bonhoff, T., Schniedenharn, M., Nippgen, S., Thombansen, U., Stollenwerk, J., Loosen, P., Poprawe, R.:
Multiphysikalische Analyse von optischen Systemen für die Lasermaterialbearbeitung.
35. CADFEM ANSYS Simulation Conference, Koblenz, 15.-17. Nov. 2017. (28 S.) (2017)

Bonhoff, T., Schniedenharn, M., Stollenwerk, J., Loosen, P.:
Experimental and theoretical analysis of thermo-optical effects in protective window for selective laser melting.
Lasers in Manufacturing LIM 2017, Munich, June 26-29 2017. (9 S.) (2017)

Moench, H., Andreadaki, A., Gronenborn, S., Kolb, J. S., Loosen, P., Miller, M., Schwarz, T., van der Lee, A., Weichmann, U.:
High power electrically pumped VECSEL and arrays
SPIE LASE, 2014, San Francisco, California, United States. Proceedings Volume 8966, Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs) IV; 89660H (2014)
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2037578

Wester, R.:
Physical optics methods for laser and non-linear optics simulations
Adv. Optical Technol. 2 (3), 247-255 (2013)
https://doi.org/10.1515/aot-2012-0060

Flemmer, J., Pirch, N., Witzel, J., Gasser, A., Wissenbach, K., Kelbassa, I.:
LACAM3D, CAM solution for tool path generation for build up of complex aerospace components by laser powder deposition
Proceedings of the 37th International MATADOR Conference, 61-64 (2012)
http://hdl.handle.net/11420/12306

Pirch, N., Keutgen, S., Gasser, A., Wissenbach, K., Kelbassa, I.:
Modeling of coaxial single and overlap-pass cladding with laser radiation
Proceedings of the 37th International MATADOR Conference, pp. 377-380 (2012)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4480-9

Nastasi, G., Wester, R., Colla, V., Noll, R.:
Determining inclusion size distributions from OES/PDA data. 
Proc. of the CETAS 2011, Luxembourg, 17.-19. Mai 2011. pp. 495-501, 2011

Thombansen, U., Schüttler, J., Auerbach, T. [u.a.]:
Model-based self-optimization for manufacturing systems. 
Proc. of the 2011 Int. Conf. on Concurrent Enterprising (ICE 2011). Eds.: K.-D. Thoben [u.a.] Piscataway, NJ : IEEE 2011. 9 S. (2011)

Vossen, G., Schüttler, J.:
Mathematical modelling and stability analysis for laser cutting. 
Math. Comp. Model. Dyn. Syst., 18(4), 439-463, (2011)
https://doi.org/10.1080/13873954.2011.642387

Funck, M. C., Loosen, P.:
Statistical simulation of selectively assembled optical systems
SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States. Proceedings Volume 7427, Optical Modeling and Performance Predictions IV; 74270B (2009)
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827376

Maurer, H., Vossen, G.:
Sufficient conditions and sensitivity analysis for optimal bang-bang control problems with state constraints
Sufficient Conditions and Sensitivity Analysis for Optimal Bang-Bang Control Problems with State Constraints. In: Korytowski, A., Malanowski, K., Mitkowski, W., Szymkat, M. (eds) System Modeling and Optimization. CSMO 2007. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 312. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 82-99, (2009)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04802-9_4

Vossen, G.:
Switching time optimization for bang-bang and singular controls
J. Optimization Theory Appl.144, 409-429, (2009)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10957-009-9594-4

Our services cover a wide range of topics. Related topics to modeling and simulation tools and further research and development focuses can be found under the following links.