TU Ilmenau doctoral candidate awarded VDI prize

The VDI Süd honors the outstanding work of Daniel Schäffer with the VDI Prize for his dissertation. Under the scientific supervision of Prof. Stefan Sinzinger, Vice President for Research and Young Scientists and Head of the Optical Engineering Group at TU Ilmenau, Dr. Schäffer successfully applied a method for developing new types of splitter components for fibre optic networks.

Fiber optic networks are a basic requirement of our modern communication infrastructure. Thanks to their enormous transmission capacity, they enable the fast and reliable transmission of large amounts of data, which is essential for business, research and private applications. In his work, Daniel Schäffer has focused on a special type of fiber optic component known as an "asymmetric splitter". These components split light signals precisely and thus improve the efficiency of data distribution.

What is special about Dr. Schäffer's work is the innovative use of the ion exchange process to produce these splitters. This method makes it possible to change the glass structure in a targeted manner and thus optimally control the light transmission. His research involves both precise simulation and experimental testing of the entire manufacturing process. Using computer-aided models, Dr. Schäffer was able to simulate the distribution of ions in the glass structure and thus optimize the production parameters for the splitters. He showed that the splitters produced by ion exchange can reliably transmit even high data rates.

Application in local datacom networks

Daniel Schäffer has also developed a pioneering method that combines laser microstructuring with the ion exchange process. This innovation could permanently change the production of fibre optic components. Dr. Schäffer's research could be particularly relevant for local datacom networks, such as those used within companies or high-rise buildings. According to Dr. Schäffer, signal splitting also enables effective monitoring in areas such as medical technology and high-voltage technology - for example in the optical switching of so-called thyristors. He sees the award as a wonderful recognition of his achievements to date, which encourages him to continue his work in applied research and development:

I am particularly grateful for the support I have received from so many partners. First and foremost the TU Ilmenau and Professor Sinzinger, who made my doctorate possible in the first place.

But his express thanks also go to the many other partners - from Technologie Campus Teisnach Sensorik to Coburg University of Applied Sciences, Leoni Fiber Optics, ADVA and Fraunhofer IZM - who, according to Dr. Schäffer, have made an immeasurable contribution to his research.

Prof. Stefan Sinzinger, who supervised Dr. Schäffer's doctoral thesis, congratulated the VDI prizewinner on the award:

I am delighted that Daniel Schäffer's commitment and his great dedication to scientific work have been duly recognized with these awards. This work is another outstanding example of the close, unconditional and practical cooperation traditionally cultivated at the TU Ilmenau with the HAWs (Universities of Applied Sciences) throughout Germany in doctoral training.

Daniel Schäffer studied Technical Physics at Coburg University of Applied Sciences before starting his doctorate at TU Ilmenau in 2018. He completed research stays in the Netherlands and Japan and worked as a lecturer at Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Deggendorf Institute of Technology. He currently works at Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH in Oberkochen, where he is further developing so-called high-NA EUV technology in the field of semiconductor production. In July of this year, Dr. Schäffer was also awarded the Lord Mayor Dieter Görlitz Prize of the city of Deggendorf for outstanding scientific work and special commitment.