Bachelor- and Master Thesis
At our institute, there are almost always ideas or smaller projects that can be worked on as part of a bachelor's thesis, an internship or as a working student. For more advanced students, we are also happy to offer Master's thesis topics. You can find our current topics for student theses and topics from other BMO working groups below. The specific questions can be worked out in a personal discussion.
If no suitable positions are currently advertised for you, but you would still like to write your thesis at the institute, please contact us. We are sure to find a solution for particularly motivated and interested students!
The research group leaders and doctoral students will be happy to help you.
If you are interested, please send the contact person a CV and a current transcript of records with your enquiry.
General project-oriented technical tasks
AG Huber - Working Student
We are looking for a student trainee for mechanical design, electronic work and programming tasks.
The tasks include technical drawing using CAD software (Solidworks), the production of prototypes using 3D-FDM printing or CNC milling technology, the assembly of electronic circuits and their integration into existing systems and the design of control and analysis software in LabVIEW or Matlab.
Everything is done under supervision in a team that knows its way around. No previous experience is required, but interest in the described work or the desire to learn something in this regard.
If you are interested, please contact: Simon Lotz
Characterisation of the OCT signal processing chain using artificial signals
AG Huber - Internship/Master Thesis
In optical coherence tomography (OCT), the optical interference signal passes through a large number of detection and processing steps before it is displayed as an image. Each of these individual steps makes a decisive contribution to image quality. This makes it all the more important to ensure an error-free sequence and to characterise the individual steps. Characterisation is difficult with "real" OCT signals with many degrees of freedom.
In this project, artificial OCT signals are to be generated using an arbitrary wave generator (AWG) and the processing chain from detection to image visualisation is to be evaluated. The tasks include, for example, programming arbitrary functions for the AWG, setting up a measurement setup consisting of AWG, OCT and real-time oscilloscope, calibrating the process steps or documenting the measurement results. No special prerequisites are required, but a high degree of personal responsibility and interest is assumed. Previous knowledge of signal processing, programming in Python or C or numerics is an advantage. The work will be carried out in close co-operation with a research assistant
If you are interested, please contact: Simon Lotz
Measurement setup for determining the refractive index using a refractometer
AG Linz/Huber - Bachelor Thesis
A refractometer can be used to determine the refractive index of a liquid. Simple handheld refractometers use transmitted light, for example sunlight. The light rays penetrate the refractometer and create a light-dark transition on a screen, which can be used to read the refractive index (total internal reflection). The refractometer is held by hand in front of the eye and aligned in the direction of sunlight.
In this work, a compact measurement setup is to be developed that fixes the refractometer in a 3D-printed holder and connects it to a camera. The refractometer is to be read via the camera in combination with LabVIEW to make it easier to determine the refractive index of various liquids. High-performing students can also integrate image processing methods to enable automated refractive index determination.
The tasks include the selection of suitable light sources, the 3D printing of mounts for the light source and camera and the determination of the refractive index of various media. No special prior knowledge is required, but a high degree of personal responsibility and interest is assumed.
If you are interested, please contact: Norbert Linz
Extension of the measurement setup for a hand-held refractometer with a liquid light guide
AG Linz/Huber - Internship/Master thesis
A refractometer can be used to determine the refractive index of a liquid. Simple handheld refractometers use transmitted light, such as sunlight, which is spectrally broadband. These rays of light penetrate the refractometer and create a light-dark transition on a screen, which can be used to read the refractive index (total internal reflection). The refraction depends on the wavelength of the illumination. However, the refractive index is often only of interest for a very narrow spectral range (e.g. in the IR-A range).
For this reason, the aim of this work is to develop an illumination for a refractometer in which it is possible to switch individual wavelengths on and off in a targeted manner. For this purpose, several light-emitting diodes are coupled into a liquid light guide so that the illumination for all wavelengths is provided from the same direction. This makes it possible to determine the refractive index of a liquid as a function of the wavelength.
The tasks include the selection of different LEDs in the visible and infrared range, the 3D printing of holders for the individual LEDs, the coupling into the liquid light guide, the illumination of the refractometer and the determination of the wavelength-dependent refractive index of different liquids. No special prior knowledge is required, but a high degree of personal responsibility and interest is assumed.
If you are interested, please contact: Norbert Linz
Development of a Python-based correction algorithm for bi-directional scanned SLIDE microscopy
AG Karpf - Bachelor Thesis
SLIDE microscopy is a new, high-speed microscopy method for in vivo imaging. Using a new spectral scanning mechanism and bi-directional galvo and piezo scanning techniques, acquisition rates of 40 volumes per second are achieved, i.e. approx. 100 times faster than conventional scanning microscopy. Currently, the phase of the scan elements has to be adjusted manually. In this work, a correction algorithm is to be developed in napari (Python-based) that recognizes and automatically corrects image artefacts caused by incorrect phase (so-called zippers). In addition, the phase position of the fluorescence curves is to be analyzed using a global FLIM curve.
Please contact: Sebastian Karpf
Real-time temperature control for laser irradiations on the retina of the eye
AG Brinkmann - Bachelor Thesis
As part of a DFG-funded project, a new laser setup is being created in which we want to heat the retina with only one laser and measure the temperature increase in real time in parallel. The bachelor thesis includes optimisation of the setup, measurements on retina explants of pig eyes, and real-time recording and processing of the data. Cell vitality assays will be used to obtain a comparison of thermal damage as a function of temperature.Requirements: Experimental skills and programming experience.
If you are interested, please contact: Ralf Brinkmann
Set-up of Fourier ptychogaphic imaging and evaluation using machine learning
AG Rahlves - Master Thesis
Fourier ptychography is a high-resolution imaging method in which intensity images of a sample are acquired under coherent illumination at different angles of illumination. From the individual images, both a higher resolution image and the object phase can be reconstructed numerically without the need for interferometric images. This requires so-called phase retrieval algorithms for image reconstruction, such as the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm. Alternatively, however, machine learning methods are becoming increasingly established to enable reconstruction. The aim of the thesis is first to build a simple Fourier ptychography imaging system. However, the focus will be on the implementation and evaluation of machine learning-based evaluation, which will be realised in Python using PyTorch or TensorFlow, for example.
If you are interested, please contact: Maik Rahlves
Laser lithotripsy with thulium fiber lasers: Systematic investigation of ablation and retropulsion in artificial stones
AG Brinkmann Bachelor Thesis
Pulsed infrared lasers have been used successfully for years to break up urinary stones (laser lithotripsy). As part of the BMBF-funded joint project 'kW peak power through innovative pumping concept for qcw fiber lasers at 2µm wavelength (SPITZE)', our cooperation partner is developing a thulium fiber laser. The aim of our sub-project is to optimize laser lithotripsy with this system. To this end, systematic series of measurements are to be carried out with artificial stones for ablation and recoil at various laser parameters.
Contact: Kimberley Lühring, Medical Lasercenter Lübeck GmbH
