Fraunhofer IAF has developed a semi-automated manufacturing process for resonantly tunable quantum cascade laser modules (MOEMS-EC-QCLs). This laser technology is characterized by very broad and extremely fast spectral tunability, enabling real-time spectroscopy and inline measurement systems in various industries. The process significantly accelerates the modules’ manufacturing and reduces its costs. From June 24 to 27, 2025, Fraunhofer IAF will present the process by the example of a multi-core system at the Laser World of Photonics in Munich (Hall A3, Booth 431). The system combines four modules via multiplexing and achieves effective spectral measurement speeds of over 1 million wave numbers per second.

When fractions of a second make all the difference: Empa researchers developed a process for manufacturing advanced thin films in which sophisticated timing enables high-quality functional layers at low process temperatures. The new method has applications in the semiconductor industry as well as in future quantum and photonics technologies.

On May 22, the latest experimental campaign concluded at the world’s most powerful nuclear fusion device of the stellarator type. Through collaboration between researchers from Europe and the USA, Wendelstein 7-X achieved, among other milestones, a world record in a key parameter of fusion physics: the triple product. This value now exceeds previous tokamak records for long plasma durations.

The new pellet injector from U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Lab enabled long plasma duration with good energy confinement.

Diagnostics from DOE’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory provided crucial data.