Business Area Space Technology
Our strength: Bundled expertise under one umbrella
For more than 20 years, the LZH has been researching, developing and characterizing laser systems for the use in space. Technical systems for space applications must withstand especially harsh conditions. In this field, the LZH has a wide range of knowledge and experience – which it transfers into terrestrial applications, too, such as earth-bound gravitational wave detectors and laser systems for the analysis of soil samples in the deep sea.
No matter what your question is: Our physicists, chemists, biologists, and mechanical and electrical engineers work together across the disciplines and departments to create your custom solution. They cover the whole spectrum of relevant disciplines:
- Development of mechanically, thermally and optically optimized laser designs
- Opto-mechanical analysis
- Optical coatings (IBS)
-
Qualification of optics
- Laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT)
- Laser-induced contamination (LIC)
- Generative manufacturing of special mechanics
- Integration in an ISO 5 cleanroom: Handling & contamination management
- Glue-free mounting and connection technology
- Verification in the 3D X-ray tomograph
- Laser welding of hermetic casings
- In-house environmental tests (thermal vacuum, vibrations)
Applications

Special optics for space applications
Coating method: Ion-Beam-Sputtering (IBS)
Properties: suitable for use in vacuum, high
long-term stability and efficiency, resistant to high-energy radiation
Field of application: Satellites

Model of the Mars Organic Molecule
Analyzer (MOMA) laser
Purpose: ExoMars Mission 2020
Task: Analysis of soil samples using Laser Desorption Mass Spectroscopy (LDMS)
Properties: lightweight and compact, suitable
for use in vacuum and resistant to vibrations
Field of application: Exploration of planet surfaces

Laser system for the earth-bound detection
of gravitational waves
Key facts: Single-frequency Nd:YAG high-power laser, 200 W output power in continuous operation
Locations: LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) Observatorium in Livingston und Hanford (USA)
Field of application: Gravitational wave astronomy

Faser amplifier for measuring gravitational waves in space
Purpose: eLISA, 3rd Large Mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2034
Properties: suitable for use in space, extremely efficient and compact design
Field of application: Gravitational wave astronomy

IR narrowband filter for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT)
Coating method: Ion-Beam-Sputtering (IBS)
Tasks: Suppression of interferences and transmission of signals from outer space
Properties: Homogenity < 0.1 %
Field of application: Earth-bound telescopes, biological and medical measurement
applications

Environmental tests of laser systems
under space conditions and opto-mechanical assemblies
Test environment: thermal-vacuum
chamber in a ISO 7 class cleanroom
Test conditions: temperature cycles
between –70°C and +150°C, active or
passive tests under vacuum