Thomas Arnold

Thomas Arnold is a Professor for Ultra-Precision Surface Machining with Ions and Plasmas at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Dresden, and Group Leader at the Leibniz Institute for Surface Modification (IOM) since 2008. His work focuses on plasma- and ion beam-based precision machining of optical and metal surfaces. He earned his doctorate in Natural Sciences (2005) from the University of Leipzig, where he initially studied physics (1995-2000).

• Research Interests: Plasma-based surface machining, ion beam precision shaping, optical surface correction, reactive plasma jet sources, freeform manufacturing chains.
• Grants & Projects: BMBF-funded projects (2014-2019, 2008-2012), DFG grant (2021-2022), FEI/AiF (2017-2019), ZIM (2016-2019).
• Professional Affiliations: Member of DGaO, Optical Society of America (OSA), CC-UPOB eV. Organized international summer schools on ultra-precision surface manufacturing (2015-2018).

His recent publications (2015-2022) demonstrate expertise in reactive ion beam etching, atmospheric plasma jet machining of aluminum, silicon, and N-BK7 glass, and temperature-regime analysis for plasma-based processes. His 2010 Science and Technology Award from the Leibniz Institute for Surface Modification highlights his contributions to the field.