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Network for Optical and Optoelectronic Technologies and Systems

Network for Optical and Optoelectronic Technologies and Systems

EXTRA

Optical technologies are about to revolutionize the world and our daily life. Light, in combination with glass fiber networks that span the globe, is rapidly becoming the primary carrier for voice and data communication, while CDs and DVDs are quickly replacing magnetic media in bulk data storage. Moreover, optical techniques have become essential to modern medical technology. These examples illustrate only some of the potential for optical technologies, which are expected to be a key enabling technology of this century, often referred to as the century of the photon. In 2000, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research launched a campaign to strengthen German industry and research institutes in the field of optical technologies. As early as 2001 a number of companies joined forces with the Gerhard-Mercator-Universität Duisburg to successfully found the "Service and Development Centre of Optoelectronics", or OpTech-Net, in North Rhein-Westphalia (NRW). It aimed to build up a network of companies and research institutes, initiating cooperative ventures and promoting the transfer of information in order to rapidly implement scientific ideas as competitive products or processes.

At present, activities focus on the following industrial fields:

• Optical communication techniques
  Optical components and optical (sub)systems for communication technology; quality control and assurance of optical components and (sub)systems; future trends in optical communication technologies
• Displays, signal and lighting technology
  Components for (LED-based) displays used in signal and lighting systems; simulations and experimental techniques for the measurement of photometric parameters
• Sensors and measuring techniques
  Components and (sub)systems for optical sensors and sensor systems; optical sensors for detecting electromagnetic, physical, chemical, biological, mechanical or biological/medical parameters
• Optics, precision mechanics, microoptics and related packaging techniques
  Technologies and techniques for fabrication and manufacturing of (micro)optic components and their integration
• Materials
  Technologies in material science and engineering, including production methods and processing techniques for optical and optoelectronic materials
• LED technology
  Light emitting diodes (LED) with high efficiency and output power for innovative lighting and signalling; cooperation with the NRW LED network of excellence

A major goal of the network is to promote the use of optical technologies in industry and research in North-Rhein Westphalia. This serves to secure and increase employment in the region. Particular emphasis is therefore placed on: " Continuous and further education " Transfer of knowledge " Initiation of cooperations " Distribution of information " Marketing Global markets today make closer cooperations on a national level an imperative. OpTech-Net thus acts as a co-promoter of the Optecnet Deutschland e.V., a joint network which pools the expertise and excellence available in optical technologies in Germany. This has led to close collaboration of the relevant enterprises and research institutes in Germany.

LINK TO WEBSITE

www.optech-net.de
www.kompetenznetze.de/navi/en/Kompetenznetze/optech-net-ev.html