Application laboratories (ERDF)
Application laboratory for III-V components for aerospace
The aerospace sector is gaining increasing importance for the economy, science, and security: It drives innovations in key technologies such as electronics, photonics, and quantum technologies. The project “Application laboratory for III-V components for aerospace” aims to systematically make the research activities at FBH usable for aerospace. It is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with 3 million euros and has a duration of three years (July 2024 to June 2027).
FBH has unique competencies in the field of III-V semiconductors and the associated technologies in high-frequency technology, photonics, and quantum physics. These capabilities have already led to participation in projects in the areas of satellite navigation, communication, and space research. Examples include diode laser pump modules for laser communication terminals on satellites as well as pulsed pump modules for a LIDAR system for methane detection in the atmosphere. With the development of ultra-narrowband laser modules, FBH has also enabled groundbreaking experiments in quantum sensing and the first demonstration of optical atomic clocks on sounding rockets.
The application laboratory for III/V components aims to strengthen the technical and human resources of FBH and promote the regional economy through close cooperation with local companies. For this purpose, the technical infrastructure of FBH will be expanded with special equipment to meet the high requirements for precision, quality, and product safety in aerospace.
The target group of the project includes companies and institutions in the aerospace sector as well as their suppliers. It contributes to transforming technological potential into concrete projects and increasing value creation in the region.
Application Laboratory III-V Components for Laser Technology and Electronics
For many years, FBH has been successfully translating its research results into industrial use, most of all for companies in Berlin and Brandenburg. Thus, the institute has established comprehensive expertise in this area. Within the Application Laboratory "III-V Components for Laser Technology and Electronics", FBH has successfully increased the maturity level of its existing technologies and thus steered its range of activities even more strongly in the direction of industrial applications. From October 2017 to 2022, a total of 5.8 million euros in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) went to FBH.
The project included investments to expand the technological infrastructure as well as semiconductor technology runs to break in the facilities and increase process stability. One aspect was to expand the epitaxy base with a multi-wafer reactor for GaAs laser diodes and the corresponding analysis technology. Another issue was to develop advanced semiconductor processes for GaAs lasers and for GaN and InP electronics. In addition, the mounting and assembly technology for laser diodes and electronic chips was expanded. Furthermore, the cleanroom underwent digitalization, transferring process control and data acquisition to an electronic version.
Expansion of the Application Laboratory III-V Components for Laser Technology and Electronics - Cleanroom reconstruction
With the establishment of its application laboratory, FBH is significantly expanding its technological base. The institute also uses an existing cleanroom nearby. The project "Expansion of the Application Laboratory III-V Components for Laser Technology and Electronics - cleanroom reconstruction" was supported with additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounting to 4.47 million euros (October 2018 to September 2022). With this expansion, extensive upgrades and refittings as well as device-related installations were carried out. This brought the quality of the technical equipment in the new cleanroom up to the required level and ensured the expansion of the application laboratory.
