Fraunhofer ILT Develops Key Technologies for the Future Market of Fusion
By 2029, the German government will invest over €2 billion in fusion research, with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen already positioned as an early mover in this field. In collaborative research projects, it is researching and developing solutions for fusion power plants together with partners from industry and research. They are establishing robust supply chains and developing processes for automated mass production. Internationally, the institute cooperates closely with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, among others. The laboratory’s National Ignition Facility has repeatedly ignited fusion plasma using what is currently the world’s largest laser, achieving steadily increasing energy surpluses in the process. Spillover effects are also emerging out of the development of this innovative power plant technology, effects that could open up new application markets for photonics.
The era of multi-kilowatt lasers has begun
Laser technology is breaking into new dimensions: Ultrashort-pulse and continuous-wave lasers with average powers in the multi-kilowatt (kW) range promise to boost efficiency for material processing and pave the way for entirely new fields of applications. At the AKL’26 – International Laser Technology Congress, taking place from April 22 to 24, 2026, in Aachen, several sessions will focus on multi-kW lasers.
AKL’26: Broadening business insights and expanding the technology spectrum
From April 22 to 24, 2026, Aachen will once again become the meeting place for
the international laser world: The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT
will host the 15th AKL – International Laser Technology Congress. Users,
manufacturers, and developers will be meeting at AKL’26 to discuss the latest
trends and practical solutions in applied laser technology for production.
Thanks to over 500 participants, more than 80 specialist presentations, and
around 50 exhibitors from industry and the supply sector, the congress is
considered by many to be the leading forum for applied laser technology in
Europe.
Save the Date! AKL’26 from April 22 to 24, 2026, in Aachen
From April 22 to 24, 2026, Aachen will once again become the meeting place for
the international laser world: The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT
will host the 15th AKL – International Laser Technology Congress. Users,
manufacturers, and developers will be meeting at AKL’26 to discuss the latest
trends and practical solutions in applied laser technology for production.
Thanks to over 500 participants, more than 80 specialist presentations, and
around 50 exhibitors from industry and the supply sector, the congress is
considered by many to be the leading forum for applied laser technology in
Europe.