TRR 123:  Planar Optronic Systems (PlanOS)

• Subject Area: Materials Science and Engineering ; Chemistry ; Computer Science, Systems and Electrical Engineering ; Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
• Term: from 2013 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 210420491

The overall goal of PlanOS is the realization of fully-integrated, planar-optical sensor networks in thin, large-area polymer foils. The technology will enable integration of complete optical systems, including light sources, optics, waveguides, sensors and detectors. Such networks will allow all-optical measurement of physical and chemical parameters as well as optical transmission and lead to novel applications in areas such as structural health monitoring or medicine. A primary challenge will be the fabrication of the all-polymer optical sensor systems using high-volume, roll-to-roll manufacturing. The parameters to be measured need to be translated into optical signals, such that large-area, spatially-resolved measurement is possible. Research during the first funding phase focused on the development of suitable polymer materials and process technologies as well as sensor concepts. In the second phase, emphasis will be placed on the integration of components and sensors and the realization of complete planar sensor networks for simultaneous measurement of a spectrum of parameters. Translation into applications will be the goal of the third phase. Research so far has resulted in the development of a variety of materials with custom properties (A projects) on which newly-developed fabrication technologies (B projects) were applied. Also, a number of optical sensors for measurement of temperature, strain and refractive index (C projects) were demonstrated. Semiconductor sources and detectors were also utilized as all-polymer active components were subject of ongoing research. In the second phase, these sensors will be realized using integrated, polymer-based components leading to the intermediate goal of planar, all-polymer sensor networks. The planar concept implies that the integration must be accomplished such that distributed, 2D sensing is possible. In particular, as complexity increases, the processes must ensure that successively fabricated structures do not damage those already in the foil. A further goal is the development of complex multi-parameter sensor networks by combination of individual sensors and of means for data evaluation. The primary challenges to be addressed are (i) integration of the optical components in polymer foils, (ii) realization of distributed, spatially-resolved sensor networks and integrated polymer sources and detectors, (iii) further development of materials, devices and processes for improved sensitivity, specificity, and reliability, (iv) a systems-theoretical analysis and realization of networks, and (v) development of calibration concepts. To address these challenges, the structure of PlanOS was modified. A new project area D was added to the areas A, B, C, and S to bring together projects focusing on integration and networks. In addition, the topics addressed by the graduate school (MGK) were expanded to include modeling and simulation of sensor systems as well as theoretical consideration of networks.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios

Completed projects

• A01 - Polymer hybrid materials for novel embossing processes for the production of microoptical foils (Project Head Rühe, Jürgen )
• A03 - Polymer-optical sources and detectors (Project Head Kowalsky, Wolfgang )
• A04 - Laser-active polymer waveguides (Project Head Chichkov, Boris )
• B01 - Offset and inkjet printing of multimode waveguides (Project Heads Korvink, Jan Gerrit ;  Overmeyer, Ludger )
• B02 - Nanoimprint lithography of single mode waveguides (Project Head Müller, Claas )
• B03 - Polymer processing using fs-lasers (Project Heads Morgner, Uwe ;  Reinhardt, Carsten )
• B04 - Development of micro-optical components and coupling structures in thin polymer foils using hot embossing (Project Heads Rahlves, Maik ;  Reithmeier, Eduard )
• B05 - Functionalized surfaces and multilayer systems (Project Head Ristau, Detlev )
• B06 - Development of novel reactive lamination processes for the production of functionalized and structured multilayer foils for optical applications (Project Heads Reinecke, Holger ;  Rühe, Jürgen )
• C01 - Micro- and nano-optical sensors (Project Head Zappe, Hans )
• C02 - Planar integrated sensor arrays based on intensity and spectral variation (Project Heads Reithmeier, Eduard ;  Roth, Bernhard )
• C03 - Planar optical polymer foil spectrometer (Project Head Schade, Wolfgang )
• C04 - Resonant interferometric optical sensors (Project Heads Willer, Ulrike ;  Zappe, Hans )
• C05 - Whispering-gallery-mode resonators for molecular analytics (Project Heads Morgner, Uwe ;  Wollweber, Merve )
• D02 - New bonding of electro-optical integrated circuits in foil substrates (Project Heads Overmeyer, Ludger ;  Rissing, Lutz )
• MGK - Integrated Graduate Program: Design and simulation of optical systems (Project Heads Hanemann, Thomas ;  Morgner, Uwe )
• S01 - Polymer synthesis (Project Head Rühe, Jürgen )
• S02 - New pre-polymers with adjusted refractive index and viscosity (Project Head Hanemann, Thomas )
• Z01 - Central Tasks (Project Head Overmeyer, Ludger )

• Applicant Institution: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
• Co-Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Participating University: Technische Universität Braunschweig; Technische Universität Clausthal
• Participating Institution: Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH)
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr.-Ing. Ludger Overmeyer