Exploring laser communication

Our doctoral candidates had an exclusive visit at the company Mynaric, hosted by IMPRS-APS almnus Clemens Jakubeit.

Laser communication promises to make communication faster and more reliable. But what’s it like to work in this field? On Tuesday, our doctoral candidates had the opportunity to find out firsthand, thanks to an exclusive visit to Mynaric.

The visit was hosted by our former IMPRS-APS member Clemens Jakubeit, a senior optical test engineer at Mynaric. The company, with a team of over 300 employees, is on a mission to make laser communication scalable—whether in space, in the air, or here on the ground.

During the visit, the students received not only an overview of Mynaric’s work, but also gained insights into the testing of laser communication terminals and the design of optical components. Lunchtime also provided an open space for further conversation, as several Mynaric colleagues joined the group and answered a variety of questions.

A highlight of the day was a guided tour of Mynaric’s testing facilities—both virtually and in person. The students had the opportunity to take a look at the “shaker,” a specialized testing apparatus designed to ensure that laser communication terminals can withstand the intense conditions of a rocket launch.

Throughout the visit, IMPRS-APS students demonstrated great interest, asking questions that ranged from Clemens’ personal journey into industry to technical details about laser communication.

Thank you to Clemens and his colleagues for their hospitality!

The visit was part of the IMPRS-APS’s ongoing series of on-site excursions, aimed at giving our doctoral candidates insights into possible career paths after their PhD. Learn more about our upcoming events here.

 

Photos: Thorsten Naeser