Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOFVilnius (Lithuania) / August 30, 2024
Groundbreaking laser technology: Jens Limpert and Jan Rothhardt awarded the EPS-QEOD Prize 2024
High-power source in the EUV range opens up new potential in nanoscience and materials science
For their groundbreaking work on the development of compact, powerful coherent extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light sources and material-specific nanoscale EUV imaging Prof. Dr. Jens Limpert and Dr. Jan Rothhardt were awarded this year's EPS-QEOD prize for research in laser technology and its applications.
In close collaboration, Prof. Dr. Jens Limpert and Dr. Jan Rothhardt have developed new understanding and technologies to realize EUV sources with synchrotron-like performance. By using high-power femtosecond fiber laser systems and the concept of coherently combining multiple fiber amplifiers, they have developed highly harmonic sources with high conversion efficiency whose photon flux exceeds the state of the art by several orders of magnitude.
New potential in nanoscience and material science
The work by Limpert und Rothhardt leads to a groundbreaking new technology: a high-resolution, lensless EUV microscope using the ptychography method. This method enables an unprecedented resolution of 16 nanometers and provides quantitative amplitude and phase information in every image pixel. This unlocks unexploited potential in nanoscience and materials science, such as in the development of efficient nanoelectronics, for energy and data storage devices, as well as in biological imaging, with applications ranging from cancer cell detection through to studying the interaction of pathogens, drugs or nanoparticles with biological cells.
Appreciation of interinstitutional cooperation
The outstanding achievements were made possible by close interinstitutional collaboration between the two researchers. Professor Limpert — member of the scientific directorate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF) and Professor at the Institute of Applied Physics at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena — and Privatdozent Dr. Rothhardt — Research Group Leader at the Helmholtz Institute Jena, a branch of GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt — combined their expertise in laser technology and imaging techniques to develop this innovative technology.
Their work impressively demonstrates how significant scientific breakthroughs can be achieved through teamwork and cooperation. Prof. Limpert emphasizes: "The interdisciplinary collaboration has enabled us to create a compact EUV microscope on a laboratory scale and demonstrate it on microorganisms. This not only expands the application possibilities, but also makes the technology more accessible." "The award is the highlight of this overall achievement, and we are delighted to accept the prize on behalf of the team," concludes Dr. Rothhardt.
Prof. Jens Limpert and Dr. Jan Rothhardt were awarded the EPS-QEOD Prize 2024.
About the EPS-QEOD Prize
The EPS-QEOD Prize is one of the highest awards in laser science and recognizes researchers who have made a significant contribution to science through innovative research and technological breakthroughs. It is presented every two years by the Division of Quantum Electronics and Optics of the European Physical Society (EPS) and recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of laser technology. This award for Limpert and Rothhardt underlines the international recognition of their scientific excellence and innovation.
The award ceremony took take place on August 27, 2024 during the 11th Europhoton conference in Vilnius (Lithuania).