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

  2. Gaze into eyes—without recognizing

    A medical informatics team at Jena University Hospital has introduced a privacy-compliant method for the AI-driven generation of realistic eye images

    • Light
    Sebastian Uschmann and Prof. Cord Spreckelsen (from left) introduced a privacy-compliant method for the AI-driven generation of realistic eye images.
    Image: M. Szabó/UKJ

  3. jETZT: Jena tests new models for future research collaboration

    The University of Jena, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, the Helmholtz Institute Jena and the Free State of Thuringia are exploring new forms of collaboration.

    • Light
    View of Jena, a major research and innovation hub in central Germany.
    Image: Jens Meyer (University of 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
vCard
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.

Universitätshauptgebäude, Room 1.21
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena

Mobile phone
+49 3641 9-401106
Link to download vCard
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Opening hours:
nach Vereinbarung