At the department "Nonlinear Dynamics of Laser Processing" we investigate the fundamentals of optical technologies and their applications in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT), the department "Laser Technology" (LLT) and the department "Technology of Optical Systems" (TOS). We also cooperate with the "Institut für Mathematik" at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.

As result a vertically organised structure for research of fundamental and development of applications is established.

Modeling One of our primary educational goals is the teaching of scientific methodology. Modeling is guided by experimental diagnosis of laser processing and numerical calculation of selected model tasks.

Model Reduction A mathematically-based reduction of the model equations is performed based on the information from the diagnosis and numerical calculation. The solution properties of the reduced equations are completely contained within the solutions of the initial system of partial differential equations and do not exhibit any unnecessary complexity.

Simulation The reduced equations are reliably solvable with controlled error and permit a sound analysis of the solution structure in addition to consideration of special solutions of the non-reduced systems of partial differential equations.

NLD is a member of the Cluster of Excellence "Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries", particularly in the fields of ICD B "Virtual Production Systems", ICD D "Self-Optimising Production Systems" as well as CSP "Cross Sectional Processes", and works in the Cluster projects ICD B1 "Virtual Production Intelligence", ICD D2 "Cognition-enhanced, Self-Optimising Manufacturing Processes" and CSP1 "Scientific Cooperation Engineering".