Thomas Arnold

Thomas Arnold holds the Endowed Chair for Ultra-Precision Surface Machining Using Ions and Plasmas at Dresden University of Technology since 2014 and heads the "Non-conventional Surface Processing" working group at the Leibniz Institute for Surface Modification in Leipzig.

His research pioneers plasma and ion-based ultra-precision surface machining to achieve physically constrained surface precision for semiconductor optics and telescope reflectors. He emphasizes interdisciplinary convergence of engineering and natural sciences to push technical boundaries while addressing practical implementation challenges in industrial applications.

Arnold champions transformative teaching that develops students' independent problem-solving capabilities through interdisciplinary teamwork, preparing them for real-world technical constraints. He anticipates ultra-precision machining will increasingly permeate consumer electronics through demands for smaller/faster computing components.

His leadership of the Leibniz Institute's working group fosters collaborations with research and industry partners to advance surface engineering frontiers, directly supporting Dresden University of Technology's mechanical engineering research ecosystem.