02. March 2026

New ERDF Project for Oxide and Fluoride Crystals for Photonics and Electronics granted to IKZ

Leibniz Institute for Crystal Growth receives millions in EU funding

The team behind the ERDF project: (from left to right) Dr. Hiroki Tanaka, Dr. Steffen Ganschow, Prof. Dr. Thomas Schröder, Prof. Dr. Matthias Bickermann, Dr. Thomas Straubinger, Dr. Janet Zapke © IKZ

Research & Development (R & D) of crystals for photonics & electronics is a crucial precondition to enable economic success for key technologies defined by the “High Tech Agenda Deutschland” (see for details: https://hightech-agenda-deutschland.de/en/).

IKZ is the European flagship institute for science & technology as well as service & transfer of crystals. In this central role, IKZ successfully applied for funding of a new ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) project to strengthen not only R & D on oxide & fluoride crystals but also prototyping (including small scale deliver of precisely manufactured crystal components to technology pioneers in electronics & photonics).

Examples are given by disruptive oxide crystals for power electronics (e.g. of importance for electro-mobility) and fluoride crystals for high power lasers (e.g. of importance for laser fusion technologies).

With funding of several million euros, the ERDF project will enable the IKZ to build additional Czochralski growth facilities in the coming years, develop new fluoride & oxide crystals, and manufacture customized optical components.