Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence 
Advanced laser generation and novel applications
Ultrafast lasers have disruptive potential. However, the technology is limited by the average power of these lasers. To change that, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft launched the Cluster of Excellence Advanced Photon Sources CAPS in 2018. Under the leadership of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen and the Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Jena, the Fraunhofer CAPS aims to develop laser sources and system technology for average powers up to 20 kW. The goal is to become the international technology leader in ultrafast laser systems and to explore their potential applications. The new systems will surpass all previous ultrafast lasers by an order of magnitude in terms of average output power. At the same time, the institutes work on the required system technology as well as potential applications in industry and research.