AI Insight
The HiPEQ project, a collaborative effort between industry and research partners, developed laser-based manufacturing processes to produce miniaturized and robust beam sources intended for use in quantum technologies. A notable achievement includes the use of lasers to grow novel optical insulator crystals, which are key components in such systems. The project ran from November 2021 to July 2025, with Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen contributing significantly to the development of these laser processes.
Why it matters
Miniaturized and robust beam sources are critical for deploying quantum technologies outside of laboratory environments, potentially enabling practical applications in quantum sensing, communications, and computing. Advances in manufacturing processes like those developed here could accelerate the transition of quantum devices toward real-world use.
In the HiPEQ project, a consortium of industry and research partners has developed new laser-based approaches to enable miniaturized, robust beam sources for quantum technology. Among others, the consortium also used lasers to grow novel optical insulator crystals. The project achieved significant progress from November 2021 to July 2025. Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen played a key role by co-developing the laser processes needed.
Source: Laser processes to enable robust, miniaturized beam sources for quantum technology