Duisburg, April 21, 2026 – Ultra-precise, compact, and robust: As part of the PISA project, Fraunhofer IMS is collaborating with Fraunhofer ISIT to develop an integrated feedback element for ultra-stable, narrow-band lasers. The combination of integrated photonics and piezoelectric surface waves enables compact, vibration-insensitive solutions for quantum and precision applications. The goal is to integrate complex laboratory setups onto a single chip, thereby paving the way for scalable, industry-ready solutions.

Whether in quantum information processing, high-resolution spectroscopy, or industrial measurement technology, narrow-band and frequency-stable lasers play a central role in modern photonic systems. With the joint project PISA »Tunable piezoelectric SAW laser with ultra-narrow linewidth«, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS is launching the development of a novel, integrated feedback element for particularly compact, robust, and precise laser sources.

The project is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Anna Lena Schall-Giesecke, head of the Technology Department at Fraunhofer IMS. The project partner is the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology ISIT in Itzehoe. PISA is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) under grant number 13N17515 and runs from January 2026 to June 2028.

Integrated Photonics for Robust and Compact Laser Systems

The goal of PISA is to develop a tunable, ultra-narrowband feedback element that implements key functions for laser frequency stabilization on a chip for the first time. To achieve this, the project partners are combining photonic silicon nitride waveguides with piezoelectric surface acoustic waves (SAW) based on aluminum-scandium nitride (AlScN). The solution is CMOS-compatible, vibration-insensitive, and has the potential for cost-effective mass production.

»Conventional laser systems reach their limits, particularly in demanding applications such as quantum computers or optical atomic clocks, due to their size, complexity, and sensitivity,« explains Schall-Giesecke. »With PISA, we are creating an integrated alternative that combines precision, robustness, and miniaturization.«

Concrete Benefits for Industry and Research

The components developed in the project are particularly well-suited for laser-based applications requiring the highest frequency stability and rapid controllability, such as in the control of ion trap quantum computers, precision spectroscopy, optical sensing, or future industrial measurement systems. The goal is to achieve linewidths in the range of approximately 1 MHz, which already represents a significant improvement over the state of the art.

In addition, the individual components developed—such as SAW-based Bragg reflectors, phase shifters, or amplitude modulators—can also be used separately, for example as tunable filters or switching elements for communication systems.

Complementary Expertise in the Consortium

While Fraunhofer IMS handles the photonic design, simulation, and fabrication of the integrated waveguide structures, Fraunhofer ISIT contributes expertise in the development of piezoelectric AlScN thin films and surface acoustic waves. This close collaboration results in an innovative acousto-optical system.

As a basic research-oriented preliminary project, PISA lays the foundation for industry-driven follow-up projects. Even during the project’s duration, there is close collaboration with laser manufacturers and users in the field of quantum technologies to ensure the transferability of the results to future applications.