Picture: TRUMPF
The high-tech company TRUMPF, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and the Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems at the Free University of Berlin are investigating how laser systems can in future be modeled more precisely using quantum computers. The focus is on industrial CO₂ lasers and semiconductor lasers, such as those used in additive manufacturing processes for metal powders or plastics. The goal is to accelerate the development of new laser sources for 3D printing and improve the energy efficiency of the systems.
“If we understand the physical processes involved in generating and amplifying laser light more precisely, we will be able to make our products even more efficient and increase their performance in the future,” says Daniel Basilewitsch, who is responsible for the project at TRUMPF.
Up to now, the company has used classical high-performance computers to simulate interactions of photons with active media and resonator geometries. Quantum algorithms are intended to map these quantum-mechanical processes in semiconductor and CO₂ lasers more directly and thus overcome bottlenecks in classical numerical methods.
“In addition to their use in data transmission, in sensor technology in smartphones, and in the future in autonomous driving, semiconductor lasers are the backbone of most industrial laser applications, either as a pump source or in direct application. The impact of better prediction of amplification properties using quantum algorithms can be correspondingly large. The goal is to use quantum computers to calculate the quantum mechanical processes in semiconductor lasers,” says Prof. Carlo Holly, head of the Data Science and Measurement Technology department at Fraunhofer ILT and head of the RWTH Aachen University Chair of Optical Systems Technology. However, it will still be some time before quantum computers can be widely used in industry. Although the first prototypes already exist, they are currently still unsuitable for complex industrial tasks. “Nevertheless, it is important to build up the expertise today so that quantum computers can be used in industry in the future,” says Basilewitsch.
For 3D printing, the precise prediction of gain characteristics, beam quality and spectral stability is particularly relevant. Even small deviations have an impact on melt pool dynamics, pore formation and residual stresses in the part.
“The core of the project is the translation of the physical modeling of the desired and undesired energy transfer processes occurring in the CO₂ laser from classical to quantum computers. A better understanding of these processes will then serve to optimize the laser design,“ explains Prof. Dr. Christiane Koch from the FU Berlin. ”The project is an important step toward making energy-intensive chip production more sustainable, where our CO₂ lasers are used today,” says Basilewitsch.
The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space is supporting the project with around 1.8 million euros as part of the “Application-Oriented Quantum Computing” program.
