12.12.2009 09:31

ultra optics' strategy successfully evaluated

On December 11th, Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, Federal Minister of Education and Research, announced that ultra optics, one of six "centres for innovation competence" in former East Germany, will receive further funding until 2016.

The funding program which started 2002 with the funding of six centers aims to strengthen the research activities of the Neue Länder and enhance the cooperation between research and economy. Now, five years after the start of the program, the evaluation proved the program to be a successful strategy. To ensure a sustainable development the Federal Ministry of Education and Research will financially support the centers, including ultra optics, for a further period of five years with a total sum of 70 million euro.

"We are very glad about the continuing funding", Prof. Dr. Herbert Witte, prorector for research at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, states. The program will boost the further development of the center and enforce the university's strategic field of research "optics, photonics und photonic technologies".

Ultra optics is a novelty in German science sector

The foundation of the Center of Innovation Competence ultra optics five years ago was initiated and supported by the Federal and the Thuringian State government. Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann, speaker of ultra optics proudly states: "ultra optics created a new field of research combining 'laser physics' and 'nano optics' which meant a novelty in German research."

During the last years Prof. Tünnermann and his colleagues gave proof of the successful implementation of the field, achieving excellent results in research. Today the centre ultra optics is synonymous with the most powerful research at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena with intense cooperative relations in science and economics and innovative training programs.

One of the basic advantages of ultra optics is the region's structural roots in optical research and production providing scientific institutes and industry with a strong pool of qualified employees and unique know-how. The atmosphere of experience and innovation provides excellent careers in research and attracts young qualified researchers. Thus, ultra optics recruited six junior researchers leading independent junior research groups and working on the most fascinating topics in photonics. Moreover, profitable spin-offs show the successful transfer and economic application of scientific research results.

The present decision from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Thuringian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture to continue the funding for the next five years will push the further development of ultra optics as an international leading research center. Ultra optics' strategy focuses on the sustainable enforcement of research, education and transfer of research into industrial utilization. Therefore, ultra optics' main objectives concentrate on a well directed staff and investment policy, the establishment of new courses of studies and the realization of strategic cooperative projects integrating partners form research, science and industry.

Based on the existing expertise in laser physics and optics, ultra optics is dedicated to the exploration of novel light sources and micro- and nano-optical systems. In addition to the continuous expansion of existing fields of research, the center is currently establishing the new field of research on photonic materials, which aims amongst others to realize the industrial utilization of carbon-based photonic materials. Research will focus on the development of diamond based optics, in order to give access to new spectral range and/or applications for optical and photonic processing.

Qualifying young academics

During this upcoming second funding period ultra optics will implement two new junior research groups. Young academics will be provided qualification within the scope of the Graduate School "Abbe School of Photonics".

The financing of all measures for the projected development of the center ultra optics will be realized as public-private-partnership between the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the Free State of Thuringia, the Federal Government, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft and optical industry.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Institute of Applied Physics
Max-Wien-Platz 1,
D-07743 Jena
Germany
+49 (0)3641-947800 and +49 (0)3641-807201
andreas.tuennermann@uni-jena.de

 

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