The Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST won this year's Manufacturing Challenge at the Optical Interference Coatings Conference (OIC2025) in the USA with the utmost precision. This international competition required participants to manufacture a spectroscopically precisely defined optical filter with the highest possible accuracy—a task that demands both creativity and maximum precision in design, manufacturing, and measurement technology. "This year, the challenge was to design an interference coating that would ultimately produce the image of a roadrunner, i.e., a running bird," explains Dipl.-Phys. Stefan Bruns, award winner and senior scientist at Fraunhofer IST. "We used our high-precision EOSS coating systems, which enabled us to apply coatings on both sides, a key requirement for this complex task." The challenge was to develop an optical layer stack that combines three different spectral characteristics: the front side should reflect the top of the bird, the back side should reflect its underside, and the characteristic appearance of the feet should be visible in the transmission range. This complex design could only be technically implemented through precise control of layer thicknesses, optical constants, and oxidation behavior.
"This task required not only exceptional technical expertise, but also close integration of simulation, manufacturing, and measurement technology," Bruns continued. "We are very pleased that our solution won first place. Participating in the OIC2025 Challenge was not only an exciting scientific challenge for us, but also an opportunity to demonstrate our technological expertise in an international context. Of course, we would like to participate again next time."
About the Optical Interference Coatings Conference (OIC)
The Optical Interference Coatings Conference is considered one of the most important international platforms for innovations in the field of optical coatings. It covers basic research on coating design, materials, deposition processes, characterization technologies, and numerous applications in areas such as electronic displays, optical communications, high-power and ultra-short pulse lasers, sensor technology, solar cells, low-emission coatings, optical instruments, space travel, and more. The Manufacturing Challenge, which takes place every three years, is a central highlight of the conference and an opportunity for developers worldwide to present technological excellence in creative formats.
Autor(en): wi
