The MINT Makerspace Team in the Lichtwerkstatt Jena.
Hands-on! Der MINT Makerspace
Unser kostenloses Angebot für Schulen, Jugendzentren, Kinder-, Jugend- und Familienhilfeeinrichtungen und außerschulische Bildungseinrichtungen.
The MINT Makerspace Team in the Lichtwerkstatt Jena.
Image: Christian Helgert

Abbe Center of Photonics

Front facet of the ACP building in 2019.

Front facet of the ACP building in 2019.

Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)

The Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP) is the leading academic hub for optics, photonics, and quantum technology at Friedrich Schiller University Jena de. Research is conducted in joint cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute JenaExternal link, the Helmholtz Institute JenaExternal link, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic TechnologyExternal link, and the Deutsches Optisches Museum (D.O.M.)External link. ACP brings together several institutes, over 60 research groups, and more than 300 state-of-the-art laboratories. It is recognized as one of the premier European centers for research and training in these fields, with a strong focus on knowledge transfer and innovation. ACP also plays a key role in the education of early-career scientists through its integrated Abbe School of Photonics. The center maintains close ties with local industry partners and the international scientific community.

Read more

News

  1. From NASA to Jena: A student’s journey from photonics research to entrepreneurship

    From Caltech and NASA to the Abbe School of Photonics and his own space-tech company: Master’s student Tanmay Gupta has followed an unusually international path through science, engineering and industry. In Jena, he has found an environment where photonics research and entrepreneurship come together. His story was recently featured by ZEIT Germany.

    • Light
    From left to right: Prof. Denis Barataud (University of Limoges), Tanmay Gupta (MSc Photonics student), and Irene Weinzierl (MSc Photonics coordinator).
    Image: Private

  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.

    • Light
    Group picture of the Phortify Industry Meeting 2026 in Jena.
    Image: Inna Khodnovska, ASP Jena

  4. 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)

  6. Review on the EMIMEP Summer School 2026 in Jena

    The EMIMEP Summer School 2026 brought together students, researchers, and experts from across Europe for three inspiring days of science, international exchange, and new connections at the Abbe Center of Photonics in Jena.

    • Light
    Impressions of the EMIMEO Summer School 2026 in Jena
    Image: Private
All short news

Key Research Areas

  • Lasers & Photonic Systems

    Coherent Light Sources, Photonic Instrumentation, and Optical Systems.

    PhD student in one of ACP's laser labs.
    Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

  • Biophotonics & Optical Health Technology

    Advanced Spectroscopic Methods for Biomedicine, Multimodal Bioimaging & AI-assisted Spectroscopy, Integrated Photonic Diagnostics & Smart Lab-on-a-chip.

    Spectroscopic analysics of a bacteria culture in the lab
    Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)

  • Strong Field Physics

    Ultrahigh Peak Power Lasers, Nonlinear and Relativistic Laser Physics, and X-ray Optics.

    Penultimate stage of the one-of-a-kind POLARIS laser in Jena
    Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Slideshow controls Slide 1 of 53

Follow us on Linkedin!

Slideshow controls Slide 1 of 21

Testimonials

  • "For our Meta Active program at the Abbe School of Photonics, our goal is to attract more students in Australia and Germany to join, with a target of at least 100 students. We aim to build a large community."

    Prof. Dr. Dragomir Neshev, Australian National University, Canberra

    Dragomir Neshev with meta optical system
    Image: Private

  • "I believe the Abbe Center of Photonics has the largest number of enthusiastic young researchers I ever met in any place of the world."

    Prof. Yuri S. Kivshar, Australian National University, Canberra

    Prof. Yuri S. KIVSHARL
    Image: Private

  • "I valued enormously during my stay the interaction with about 80 students integrated at the Abbe Center of Photonics who were attending my lectures."

    Prof. Dr. Javier Aizpurua, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastián, the Basque Country, Spain

    Prof. Dr. Javier AIZPURUAL
    Image: Private

  • "The combination of Jena University and Fraunhofer in optics is really unique in Europe. The integration in Jena looks seamless."

    Prof. Dr. em. Hans Bachor, The Australian National University, Canberra.

    Prof. Hans Bachor
    Image: Australian Academy of Science

  • "I think that the level of research and teaching makes the ACP one of the best places to pursue a career in optics."

    Prof. Dr. Igal Brener, Sandia National Laboratories and Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

    Prof. Igal Brener
    Image: Private

  • "I have seen many places worldwide: the Abbe Center is really a world-class operation, that’s for sure."

    Prof. Dr. Federico Capasso, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

    Prof. Dr. Federico Capasso
    Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

  • "My stay at ACP was very enjoyable and stimulating and a great foundation for future collaboration and partnership."

    Prof. Benjamin Eggleton, University of Sydney, Australia

    Prof. Benjamin Eggleton,
    Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

  • "I find my visit to Jena most productive, intellectually stimulating and hope to develop long-term collaborations based on new contacts made here."

    Prof. Dr. Igor Lednev, State University of New York, Albany, USA

    Prof. Dr. Igor Lednev
    Image: Private

  • "The ASP guest-professor program has been a wonderful platform for me to engage in both young-researcher training and in research collaborations."

    Prof. Dr. Asger Mortensen, Department of Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark

    Prof. Dr. Asger MORTENSEN
    Image: Private

  • "The MSc Photonics program at the Abbe School of Photonics in Jena is in my opinion the strongest anywhere."

    Prof. Martin C. Richardson, Director of the Townes Laser Institute, College of Optics & Photonics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA

    Prof. Martin C. Richardson
    Image: Private

  • "There is nowhere else in the photonics world like Jena."

    Prof. David D. Sampson Winthrop Professor and Director of the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation & Analysis (CMCA), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia

    Prof. David D. SAMPSON
    Image: Private