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FBH - History & Development

The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH) was formed after the German reunification from parts of former GDR Academy of Sciences institutes: “Zentralinstitut für Optik und Spektroskopie” (ZOS) and “Zentralinstitut für Elektronenphysik” (ZIE)  - and has developed dynamically since then.

Selected key data on the development of the FBH:

2024

  • Patrick Scheele becomes Scientific Managing Director of the Institute on January 1, 2024.

2023

  • after 28 years of leading the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Günther Tränkle is leaving for a well-deserved retirement

2022

  • Karin-Irene Eiermann becomes new Administrative Managing Director and forms the dual leadership of FBH gGmbH with Scientific Managing Director Günther Tränkle since September
  • 370 employees

2021

  • Transformation into a gGmbH, a 100% subsidiary of the State of Berlin
  • Commissioning of the 2. cleanroom. Within the framework of the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany state-of-the-art equipment is now available
  • FBH's ninth Joint Lab, the Joint Lab Photonic Quantum Technologies is launched

2020

  • Since 2018, FBH has been expanding its technological base of the Application Laboratory III/V Components for Laser Technology and Electronics. A second cleanroom is being set up
  • Eighth FBH Joint Lab started with the University of Duisburg-Essen - aiming at innovative materials and components for terahertz electronics

2019

  • In January, the new research area Integrated Quantum Technology was launched - with further Joint Labs with HU Berlin
  • The Innovation Campus Electronics and Microsensors Cottbus starts, with FBH involved in five subprojects
  • 310 employees

2017

  • In March BeamXpert, the FBH tenth spin-off was launched - at that time still under the project name DOBSY - and has meanwhile received several awards
  • In April, the cross-institutional BMBF-funded "Research Fab Microelectronics Germany" was started - FBH receives more than 34 million Euros of the altogether 350 million Euros investment program

2016

  • Spin-off UVphotonics is awarded with the Leibniz Founder's Prize, endowed with 50,000 Euros

2015

  • Laser manufacturer TRUMPF opens branch office for the development of laser diodes in Berlin - in close proximity to its research partner FBH
  • Formation of spin-off UVphotonics NT GmbH
  • FBH again excellently evaluated and recommended for further joint funding by Federal and State authorities
  • 290 employees

2014

  • Formation of Prototype Engineering Lab for the development of prototypes at FBH

2013

  • FBH successful with "Advanced UV for Life" in the Twenty20 competition of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research; the consortium will be funded with up to 45 million Euros until 2019
  • Formation of spin-offs:
    • BEAPLAS GmbH
    • Brilliance Fab Berlin GmbH & Co. KG
    • Phasor Instruments UG
  • Cornerstone ceremony for an extension buildung (approx. 1,800 sqm additional laboratory and office spaces), moving in in 2015
  • 270 employees

2012

  • Transfer prize "WissensWerte" for particularly capable diode lasers for materials processing; the award is endowed with 50,000 Euros
  • Installation and commissioning of various large equipment (including a new wafer stepper & a capable analytics tool for characterization of degradation processes)

2011

  • Formation of spin-off GloMic GmbH
  • Günther Tränkle becomes speaker of the novel Optics Cluster Berlin-Brandenburg
  • 240 employees

2010

  • Laytec & FBH receive the "wissen.schafft.arbeit" technology transfer prize endowed with 20,000 Euros
  • Extension and renovation works in the cleanroom, especially in the area of mounting and assembly

2009

  • Change of name to Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut fuer Hoechstfrequenztechnik
  • In June, the institute was awarded for the first time with the TOTAL E-QUALITY certificate for successfull implementation of equal opportunity (again: 2012, 2015, 2018 & 2021)
  • Extension and renovation of the technical infrastructure (investments in equipment & energy-efficient air-conditioning and cleanroom technology)
  • 230 employees

2008

  • FBH cooperation within Collaborative Research Center Sfb 787 (currently in its 3. funding period valid until 2020)

2007

  • Evaluation by the German Science Council with excellent result

2006

  • Formation of spin-off BeMiTec AG
  • Awarded as familiy-friendly company Treptow-Köpenick in 2006 (again: 2009, 2010 and 2012)
  • Selected as "Landmark in the Land of Ideas" competition, jointly with Jenoptik Diode Lab
  • 180 employees

2005

  • First Joint Lab with TU Berlin (2016: 5 Joint Labs with regional and national universities)
  • Formation of school lab MicroLAB, jointly with Lise-Meitner-Schule

2004

  • Transfer award "WissensWerte" for the development of DFB high-power laser diodes
  • Renovation of the historical building, inauguration of a new building (approx. 1,200 sqm laboratory & office space, seminar rooms)
  • First-time ISO certification of quality management, followed later on by environmental and occupational safety
  • 150 employees

2002

  • Formation of spin-offs:
    • Jenoptik Diode Lab GmbH, 2006: establishment of an own manufacturing facility in Berlin-Adlershof, 2012: expansion of production by around 1,400 sqm to 3,400 sqm (gross floor area)
    • eagleyard Photonics GmbH
  • 133 employees

2000

  • Formation of spin-off IXYS Berlin GmbH

1999

  • Formation of spin-off Three-Five Epitaxial Services AG (TESAG) – belongs to Jenoptik corporation since 2009

1998

  • Positive evaluation by the German Science Council

1996

  • Management: Prof. Dr. Günther Tränkle becomes Director of the FBH
  • 112 employees

1993

  • Renovation and remodeling of the cleanrooms
    • 1993: 1. stage of construction epitaxy
    • 1994: 2. stage of construction replacement of  climate control and ventilation technology
    • 1995-97: 3. stage of construction modernization of the cleanrooms including renewal of equipment (since 1992)
  • Management: as of April 1995 provisionally Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Heinrich

1992

  • Founded as Ferdinand-Braun-Institut fuer Hoechstfrequenztechnik
  • Member of "blaue Liste“, since 1997 "Wissenschaftsgemeinschaft Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz" (WGL), briefly "Leibniz Association"
  • Management: until February Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ingo Wolf, provisionally Dr. Reinhard Gründler, as of October 1992: Prof.  Dr.-Ing. Peter Russer
  • 88 employees