The Center for Laser Materials (ZLM) is dedicated to research on crystalline materials for optical applications. To this end we use our state-of-the art laser and spectroscopy laboratories as well as the interdisciplinary research infrastructure at the IKZ. In close collaboration with the research group ‘oxides & fluorides’ in the department ‘volume crystals’ the ZLM acts as a one-stop shop for optical crystals for laser applications, optical isolators and nonlinear frequency conversion.

Our main research interest lies on rare earth and transition metal doped oxide and fluoride crystals for new wavelength ranges or broader gain bandwidths for ultra-short pulse lasers. A further focus is on laser crystals with improved thermo-mechanical properties for efficient high-power lasers. We also investigate novel crystalline materials for other optical applications such as optical isolators and nonlinear frequency conversion.

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The next generation of synchrotron radiation sources enables investigations on miniature length and time scales such as x-ray imaging of nanoscale integrated circuits or dynamics of individual nanoparticles. We develop optical components and methods to fully exploit the high precision of these new sources based on crystalline materials grown at IKZ. For that we foster interdisciplinary cooperation with scientists from various fields, e.g. materials science, physics and chemistry or biology.

We develop photo-/electroacoustic and nanomechanical optics to actively control hard x-ray beams. In addition we provide solutions to specific requirements such as high thermal loads. Our fundamental science interest is the impact of crystal lattice distortions on the electronic, optical or magnetic properties of a material. In particular we focus on order phenomena such as ferroelectricity or (anti-)ferromagnetism.