Dr. rer. nat. Claas Falldorf

Group leader Coherent Optics and Nano-Photonics
e-mail: Falldorf@bias.de
phone: +49 421 218-58013
directly to the research group

Research topics

In my research, I deal with the use of light as an information carrier, for example in optical metrology and sensors. On the other hand, my expertise also includes processes that specifically modulate the light in order to achieve the desired projection. A variety of interdisciplinary models and methods are used, such as scalar diffraction theory, rigorous methods (RCWA), probabalistic models such as coherence theory, and also methods from signal processing and optimization theory. As a result, I and my research group use the knowledge to develop novel shape and deformation measurement methods that are not only highly precise, but also have other advantages, such as insensitivity to mechanical and thermal influences, or the use of eye-safe light sources in interferometry . Both aspects are decisive for the use of measurement technology in an industrial environment, for example in quality assurance. Of particular note here is Computational Shear Interferometry (CoSI), which enables the detection of any wave fields by scanning the mutual coherence function. In this way, a large number of interferometric measurement methods can be carried out on the basis of a shear interferometer, which is not only robust against mechanical disturbances, but, in contrast to conventional interferometers, can be integrated into existing imaging systems with little effort. We are currently working intensively with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) on the Multiple Aperture Shear Interferometry (MArS), with which shape measurement on optical surfaces can be achieved using a large number of light sources (lighting apertures), so that the problem of the restricted aperture in bypassing interferometry. MArS is based on the measurement and evaluation of the coherence function and is currently being further developed for use in aspherical testing. In addition, we are introducing these methods in the field of terahertz radiation, so that in the future interferometric measurements can also be easily implemented in this frequency band. Other research areas in the field of sensors are surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy to specifically detect chemical or biological compounds, and methods and technologies for the representation of three-dimensional scenes by means of wave field shap

Projects
  • Nano white light interferometer (WLI) for internal functional surfaces (NanoWLI)
  • Aspheric and freeform measurement using adaptive refractive optical elements (AspharSchero)
  • Investigation of structural function for the analysis of optically measured surfaces (Structural Function 2)
  • Securing valuable documents using CGHs printed with photochromic inks (Secret-CGH)
  • Optical refractive index measurement for additive manufacturing of lenses (InProGRIN)
  • Lensless microscopy for industrial quality control (LIM-Q)
  • Sustainable ontology-based development and optimisation solutions for fibre-reinforced materials and their manufacturing processes (OntOMat)
  • Hypercentric imaging in coherent optical metrology (HyperCOMet)
  • High-resolution optical microscopy using transmissive microstructures (HoMiTrans)
  • Beam shaping using CGHs for optogenetic applications (HoloGen)
  • Optical metrology with partially coherent light – Part III, transfer project (OPAL Transfer)
  • Shape measurement by means of imaging using partially coherent illumination, Part 2 (Spice II)

Publications

  • Selected publications

    C. Falldorf,  P.-Y.  Chou,  D.  Prigge, R. B. Bergmann

    3D  Display  System  Based  on Spherical Wave Field Synthesis, Appl. Sci. 9, 3862 (2019).

    T. Klein, F. Thiemicke, C. Falldorf, R. B. Bergmann

    Polymer-based holograms with individually adjustable structure angle, Opt. Eng. 58, 2, 025105-025105-7, (2019).

    R. B. Bergmann, C. Falldorf, A. Dekorsy, C. Bockelmann, M. Beetz, A. Fischer

    Ganzheitliche optische Messtechnik, Physik Journal 18, 2, 34-39, (2019).

    A. F. Müller, C. Falldorf, G. Ehret, R. B. Bergmann

    Messen von asphärischen Linsenformen mittels räumlicher Kohärenz, tm - Technisches Messen 86, 6, 325-334, (2019).

    M. Agour, C. Falldorf, R.B. Bergmann Autofocus in Two-Wavelength Contouring for Fast Inspection of Micro Parts, Sensors & Transducers 226, 10, 77-82, (2018).

    J.-H. Hagemann, C. Falldorf, G. Ehret, and R. B. Bergmann

    Form determination of optical surfaces by measuring the spatial coherence function using shearing interferometry, Opt. Exp. 26, 27991-28001 (2018).

    C. Falldorf, J.-H. Hagemann, G. Ehret, and R. B. Bergmann

    Sparse light fields in coherent optical metrology, Appl. Opt. 56, F14-F19 (2017).

    C. Falldorf, M. Agour, and R. B. Bergmann Digital holography and quantitative phase contrast imaging using computational shear interferometry, Opt. Eng. 54, 024110 (2015).

    M. Kujawinska, T. Kozacki, C. Falldorf, T. Meeser, B. M. Hennelly, P. Garbat, W. Zaperty, M. Niemel ̈a, G. Finke, M. Kowiel, and T. Naughton

    Multiwavefront digital holographic television, Opt. Exp. 22, 2324-2336 (2014).

    C. Falldorf,  and  R.  B.  Bergmann

    Wave  field  sensing  by  means  of  computational  shear interferometry, J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 30, 1905– 1912 (2013).

    C. Falldorf, M. Agour, C. v. Kopylow, and R. B. Bergmann

    Phase retrieval by means of a spatial light modulator in the Fourier domain of an imaging system, Appl. Opt. 49, 1826-1830 (2010).

  • Books and book chapters

    U. Schnars, C. Falldorf, J. Watson, and W. Jüptner

    Digital Holography and Wavefront Sensing, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2015

    C. Falldorf, R. Klattenhoff, C. v. Kopylow, W. 

    J̈uptner

    Digital Speckle Shearography in Art Conservation, Handbook on the Use of Lasers in Conservation and Conservation Science (COST Office, Brussels, Belgium 2008), M. Schreiner, M. Strlic, and R. Salimbeni eds.

  • Patents

    S. v. d. Driesche, M. Vellekoop, C. Falldorf, C. Hafner, and H. Breiteneder

    A method for performing an allergy test, method for determining a degranulation in cells, apparatus for performing an allergy test and microfluidic chip, German Patent DE102016117421, erteilt March 15, 2018

    J. Behrens, C. v. Kopylow, C. Dankwart, C. Falldorf

    Method and devices for unambiguously identifying an object, U.S. Patent 20140232599A1, erteilt August 21, 2014

    M. Agour, K. Elshaffey, C. Falldorf, C. v. Kopylow, R. B. Bergmann

    Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Vermessung eines optischen Wellenfelds, German Patent DE102013209461B3, erteilt June 5, 2014

    C. Falldorf, W. Jüptner, C. v. Kopylow

    Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Messung von optischen Wellenfeldern, German Patent DE102008060689B3, erteilt April 4, 2010

You can find an overview of the BIAS publications here.

Memberships

Deutsche Gesellschaft für angewandte Optik (DGaO)

European Optical Society (EOS)

Work Group 5: Security, Metrology and Sensors of the European Technology Platform Photonics21

Center for Materials and Processes of the University of Bremen (MAPEX)

Professional background

2001 - 2009 Research Associate at BIAS GmbH2009 PhD in Department 1 of the University of Bremen2009 - 2018 Head of the Research Group Coherent Optics at BIAS GmbH2018 - 2020 Expansion of the research group to include nano-photonics, currently with 6 scientists