The team of the nonlinear optics group in Jena.
Research
The Abbe Center of Photonics cross-links the research activities of its principal and visiting scientists together with around 300 doctoral and more than 150 Master's degree students
The team of the nonlinear optics group in Jena.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

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 academic center of scientific activities in the fields of optics and photonics at the 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. In the last years, ACP has become one of the leading European centers for research and education in optics and photonics as well as in the development and transfer of optical technologies. ACP is strongly engaged in young-career scientists' education via its integrated Abbe School of Photonics and sustains strong links with local industry partners as well as with the international scientific community. read more

News

    • Light
    New lithium niobate technology revolutionizes optical switches for AI and quantum computers

    Researchers at Fraunhofer IOF and the Institute for Applied Physics (IAP) have developed a new basic technology for integrated optical switches.
    Integrated optical circuit with fiber optic connections (top and bottom). The modulator signals are fed in via the gold electrodes on the sides.
    Image: Fraunhofer IOF
    • Light
    • Life
    • Liberty
    Jena receives two Clusters of Excellence

    Friedrich Schiller University has been successful in the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments with its "Balance of the Microverse" and "Imaginamics" Clusters. It therefore fulfils the requirements for an application to become a University of Excellence.
    Flag with the profile lines ‘Light. Life. Liberty.’ in front of the main building of the University of Jena.
    Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)
    • Light
    CZS Endowed Professor for Uwe D. Zeitner

    New inspiration for the IAP and micro-optics
    Prof. Uwe D. Zeitner in seinem neuen Büro am IAP.
    Image: Ira Winkler
    • Light
    Quantum Photonics Fair in Erfurt 2025

    The new “Quantum Photonics” trade fair successfully brought together many companies, institutions and experts from research, development and application. A total of around 500 trade visitors attended the event and enjoyed excellent discussions at the exhibition stands.
    Johannes Kretzschmer presenting Quantum Outreach at the 1st Quantum Photonics Fair in Erfurt 2025.
    Image: Karina Heßland-Wissel, Messe Erfurt GmbH
    • Light
    Quantum Sensing Cutting-Edge Research Among 2024’s Top Innovations

    An approach toward non-destructive sample classification via entangled photons recognized as pioneering work in Prestigious APL Photonics Collection
    Schematic experimental setup: on the left, the photon source, which sends the polarisation-entangled signal-Idler photon pair into the measuring section. The signal photon hits the sample (front) and changes its polarisation state. The changed photon property is transferred by entanglement to the idler photon, whose property can now be determined by polarisation optics (quarter-wave plate QWP, linear polarizer LP). Before the measurement takes place, an long pass filter (LPF) is used to keep out interference signals.
    Illustration: Johannes Kretzschmar
    • Light
    International Year of Quantum 2025: Our Contribution to School Education in Quantum Physics

    The Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung Center for Quantum Photonics from Jena, Ulm and Stuttgart presented their work at the MNU congress in Bochum, where 800 teachers from all over Germany met.
    CZS QPhoton booth at the MNU congress 2025 at Uni Bochum.
    Image: Holger Cartarius, FSU Jena
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Key research areas

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  • Prof. em. Hans Bachor (ANU Canberra).
    Image: Australian Academy of Science
    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.

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