LPOT: Laser Performance and Optimisation Toolkit

Hubertus Bromberger, DESY

Prof. Jochen Küpper, DESY

Prof. Roman Kusche, HAW Hamburg

Lasers are indispensable for science and technology, yet their reliability remains a critical bottleneck. Failures in specialized research lasers are often unpredictable, with many legacy systems no longer supported by manufacturers. Even minor instabilities can interrupt experiments, leading to costly downtime and wasted research time.

The Laser Performance & Optimization Toolkit (LPOT) addresses this challenge with a portable, plug-and-play platform that transforms laser maintenance from reactive troubleshooting to predictive diagnostics. LPOT integrates modular sensors with secure data streaming and advanced analysis methods—including machine learning, Bayesian statistics, and AI-based anomaly detection—to provide real-time visibility into system health. This enables early warning of instabilities, reduces downtime, and improves the reliability and reproducibility of scientific results.

In this seed phase, we will (i) develop a flexible prototype monitoring key causes of downtime, (ii) implement a database and graphical interface for real-time monitoring and trend visualization, and (iii) prototype predictive algorithms for anomaly detection. Validation at DESY will ensure broad transferability across laboratory environments.

By enabling predictive rather than reactive operation, LPOT lays the foundation for a scalable solution to support Europe’s more than 2,000 scientific-grade lasers—ensuring researchers spend more time on discovery and less on troubleshooting.