Electro Optics talks to previous honoree of The Photonics100 Thilo von Freyhold, Vice President SBU Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing at the Advanced Photonics Solutions Division of Jenoptik.
What is the next big thing in your area of photonics research?
The next big thing in my company's area of photonics research is to merge classical optics with diffractive micro-optics into products that meet industrial requirements. Why do this? We want to develop products that are smaller, lighter, and less expensive, but which provide similar performance to current products based on classical optical approaches.
What do you think the biggest challenges in your area will be over the next year?
One of the current challenges is to meet the steep ramp-up the semiconductor industry has been facing since the beginning of last year. Most of our photonics products are going into equipment for semiconductor lithography and inspection. As a result, we need to work fast enough and build capacity in terms of infrastructure, equipment, supply chains, and of course, people.
The biggest challenge involves people. We need more people working in photonics, in R&D, manufacturing and packaging of photonics devices! And, in addition to managing all these challenges, we need to maintain and boost motivation in the team to push innovative ideas forward and make them a reality. We did this recently with the disruptive UFO Probe Card technology for ultra-fast optoelectronic testing of photonics integrated circuits at the wafer level.
What is the biggest personal challenge you have overcome?
My biggest personal challenge was deciding to leave research and move into management. It took a while to finally accept that I’m no longer the one performing fancy experiments in photonics labs and cleanrooms. But I realised that there are many ways to contribute to the development of photonics. Co-founding a start-up company first, and then working in management positions for photonics companies, like Jenoptik, contributing to the spread of photonics applications, is the best way for me to support the photonics world.
What advice would you give to someone embarking on a career in photonics research?
Do it! Photonics is still a young branch. Learn about the manifold facets of photonics and discover your possibilities in this field. Look for a job where your strengths are recognised and your weaknesses smooth out while being supported by co-workers. Be open to re-think and re-discuss. Whether in academia or industry, there are many challenges that need your contribution!
Who has been the biggest help to you in your career?
My friends and supervisors during my Master's thesis in the beginning, and the teams working with me and for me along the way. A career is a result of doing a good job, and a good job is done in a team.
Who, in your opinion, are the up-and-coming R&D ‘rock stars’ in your area or organisation?
At Jenoptik, we’re developing sophisticated high-end photonics systems. There is no single R&D ‘rock star’ in our organisation but you’ll find a ‘big band’ of talented R&D colleagues who rock all phases of development, from design to characterisation or in fabrication technologies like coating or lithography.
You can make your nomination for The Photonics100 2024 here.
