➀ Germany faces challenges in laser technology due to reliance on rare earths and crystals from third countries, exacerbated by export restrictions and geopolitical tensions;

➁ Fraunhofer Institute (IOSB) develops alternative solutions through advanced crystal growth, nonlinear optical materials, and fiber laser technologies to ensure supply chain independence;

➂ Innovations include improved crystal processing techniques, fiber optics for infrared applications, and robustness testing, showcased at LASER 2025 trade fair in Munich.

➀ Researchers discovered that the orbital angular momentum of electrons in chiral materials like cobalt silicide can be actively controlled via crystal chirality;

➁ This breakthrough enables new orbitronic devices for robust and energy-efficient data transfer, utilizing orbital momentum instead of charge or spin;

➂ The EU supports this innovation through the EIC Pathfinder project OBELIX, with potential applications ranging from light-controlled switches to hybrid quantum components.