LIGHT profile

The LIGHT profile encompasses research in the areas Optics and Photonics, Materials and Nanotechnologies, Energy Research and Environmental Technologies and Data-driven Sciences.

Laboratory of the Abbe School of Photonics

Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Laboratory of the Abbe School of Photonics

Jena LIGHT Conference 2026

  • Jena LIGHT 2026 – Photonics in Quantum Computing

    External link

    The third event in the Jena LIGHT Conference series, supported and facilitated by the LIGHT profile of Friedrich Schiller University Jena, will take place at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF 16th-17th of September 2026.
    Click here for more information!

    Integrated optical circuit with fibre-optic connections (top and bottom), developed at the Fraunhofer IOF in Jena.
    Image: Fraunhofer IOF

About the LIGHT profile

The laudable work of Zeiß, Abbe and Schott is globally recognised as a prime example of innovative symbiotic collaboration, consisting of excellent basic and applied research as well as successful, internationally oriented entrepreneurship.

Under this umbrella, the aim of the LIGHT profile is to foster the scientific strength of the Photonics and Quantum Technologies sector and to integrate research on Materials of the Future as further main research areas. Within the scope of this scientific background, creating sustainable interdisciplinary links with the fields of biology and medicine have been encouraging fruitful cooperations within the University motto LIGHT. LIFE. LIBERTY.

Research Focal Areas

  • Materials of the Future

    Developing sustainable materials with digital methods for key challenges

    Fluorescent materials
    Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

  • Ageing and Health

    Interdisciplinary research on ageing and health – from molecular mechanisms to prevention, care, and healthy longevity

    Imaging of ageing
    Image: Laurence Mouton

The funding program of the LIGHT profile

  • Supporting members of the LIGHT profile

    The LIGHT profile aims to initiate and catalyze interfaculty cooperation and to promote new collaborations and research initiatives within LIGHT’s main research areas. To ensure the continuous development and expansion of existing structures in research and teaching, the LIGHT profile supports researchers with a flexible funding program. An overview of the funding lines can be found here.

    Gears
    Image: Pixabay/Mustangjoe

News

  1. Jena LIGHT 2026: Over 100 Experts Discuss Photonic Quantum Computing on the Beutenberg Campus

    From 16 to 17 September 2026, the Institute of Applied Physics (IAP) of the University of Jena and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF) jointly hosted the international workshop "Photonics in Quantum Computing." More than 100 participants from over 20 countries came together at the Beutenberg Campus for two days of intensive scientific exchange on the future of quantum information technology.

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    Participants of the LIGHT Conference "Photonics in Quantum Computing"
    Image: Ira Winkler (University Jena)

  2. Shaping the future of photonics education: PHORTIFY Industry Meeting in Jena

    On 16 September 2026, around 60 participants from across Europe came together at the Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP) in Jena for the PHORTIFY Industry Meeting 2026. More than half of the participants represented companies and industry-related organisations, creating a strong platform for direct exchange between academia and the European photonics industry.

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    Group picture of the Phortify Industry Meeting 2026 in Jena.
    Image: Inna Khodnovska, ASP Jena
All short news

LIGHT Junior Research Group

  • Junior Research Group René Sondenheimer

    The group "Theory of optical quantum information (TOQI)" investigates quantum properties of light and their applications in quantum information, imaging, and simulation, contributing to fundamental research in photonics and quantum technologies.

    Spatial correlations of biphoton states
    Illustration: René Sondenheimer

Profile-defining centres

Faculties Connected to LIGHT

Cooperation Partners

Contact

The 12-member coordination team of the LIGHT profile serves as the reporting and strategic body. Spokesperson of the coordination team is Prof. Dr. Felix Schacher (Institute for Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry), deputy spokesperson Prof. Dr. Holger Gies (Institute for Theoretical Physics). In addition, the team is supported by a group of coordinators.

Felix Schacher, Prof. Dr

Spokesperson | LIGHT profile
Prof. Dr. Felix Schacher
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
Link to download vCard
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Technikum Optik, Room 122
Lessingstraße 8
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Holger Gies, University Professor Dr

Deputy Spokesperson | LIGHT profile
H. Gies
Image: H. Gies
Link to download vCard
vCard
Abbeanum, Room 302
Fröbelstieg 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Coordination of the profile areas

LIGHT.LIFE.LIBERTY.

Room 103
Zwätzengasse 3
07743 Jena

Mobile phone
+49 3641 9-401110
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Opening hours:
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