Application of multicolor holograms in the lab.

Ultra Optics

Nanooptics, laser physics, photonic materials, optical systems and quantum technologies.
Application of multicolor holograms in the lab.
Image: Thomas Ernstling/ Gruner & Jahr.

Ultra Optics constitutes a synergistic combination of nanooptics, laser physics, photonic materials, optical systems and quantum technologies. The combination of these fields into one common key research area fundamentally opens new possibilities for generating and controlling light in a spatio-temporal way using virtually arbitrary properties. In this way, a bridge is built between fundamental research and industrial applications.

ACP's key research area Ultra Optics was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)External link as a "Center for Innovation Competence" (ZIK) in 2005. ACP's quantum technolgies are particularly supported by the Thuringian Innovation Center for Quantum Optics and Sensing - InQuoSens).

Application of multicolor holograms in the lab.
Image: Thomas Ernstling/ Gruner & Jahr.
Applied Optics
Prof. Dr. Andreas TÜNNERMANN
Wafer inspection in the clean room.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Atomic Layer Deposition
Dr. Adriana SZEGHALMI
Prof. Dr. Fabian Steinlechner at the Lab.
Image: Ira Winkler (Universität Jena)
Experimental Quantum Information
Prof. Dr. Fabian STEINLECHNER
Prof. Markus Schmidt.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Fiber Sensors
Prof. Dr. Markus A. SCHMIDT
Fiber lasers lab.
Image: Tobias Tieß and Charles Loussert
Fiber & Waveguide Lasers
Prof. Dr. Jens LIMPERT
Illustration of a spectrum heliostate in the future D.O.M.
Image: D.O.M.
History of Physics with focus on Science Communication
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Timo MAPPES
Spectroscopic characterization of an artificial nanooptical metamaterail.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Nano & Quantum Optics
Prof. Dr. Thomas PERTSCH
Graphical summary of selected research results.
Graphic: Research group of Jer-Shing Huang.
Nanoplasmonics
PD Dr. habil Jer-Shing HUANG
Nano-optics setup
Image: Omid Abed
Nonlinear Neuromorphic and Quantum Photonics
Dr. Sina SARAVI
Investigation of the melting process of optical glass.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Optical Materials
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lothar WONDRACZEK
Single-photon source for secure quantum communication.
Image: Tobias Vogl, ANU Canberra
Optics in 2D-Materials
Dr. Falk EILENBERGER
Prof. Ulrich S.Schubert.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Organic & Macromolecular Chemistry
Prof. Dr. Ulrich SCHUBERT
Nonlinear optics spectroscopy lab.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Organic Thin Films & Surface Science
Prof. Dr. Torsten FRITZ
Leibniz-IPHT Jena.
Image: Leibniz-IPHT.
Quantum Detection
Prof. Dr. Heidemarie SCHMIDT
This image was created by the artificial intelligence DallE-2 by prompting it with “quantum computer, bauhaus”.
Picture: Martin Gärttner, FSU Jena.
Quantum Information and Quantum Many-Body Theory
Prof. Dr. Martin GÄRTTNER
Quantum optical setup.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Quantum Optics
Dr. Frank SETZPFANDT
Adjustment of a photonic quantum magnetometer inside a shielded environment.
Image: Sven Döring / Leibniz-IPHT
Quantum Systems
Prof. Dr. Ronny STOLZ
Prof. Isabelle Staude in the Nano Lab.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Photonic Nanomaterials
Prof. Dr. Isabelle STAUDE
Sample inspection at the scanning electron microscope.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Physics of Nanoscale Solids
Prof. Dr. Carsten RONNING
Prof. Felix Schacher.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Polymeric Nanostructures
Prof. Dr. Felix SCHACHER
Prof. Ulf Peschel.
Image: Anna Schroll
Solid State Optics
Prof. Dr. Ulf PESCHEL
Special optical glass along with a 3D lattice model.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Structure-Property Relationships in Glasses
Prof. Dr. Delia BRAUER
Real-time ultrashort pulse dynamics and switching by the Chernysheva research group in Jena.
Image: Chernysheva research group
Ultrafast Fiber Laser Systems
Dr. Maria CHERNYSHEVA
Prof. Stefan Nolte in the short-pulse laser lab.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Ultrafast Optics
Prof. Dr. Stefan NOLTE
Experimental laser setup.
Image: Ioannis Paradisanos
Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy
Jun. Prof. Dr. Giancarlo SOAVI

History of Ultra Optics

Ultra Optics
Ultra Optics
Image: Ultra Optics

In 2002, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)External link started the program "Centres for Innovation Competence" within the scheme "Unternehmen Region". At the University of Jena and since 2005, this program has stimulated a strategy process which led to a sustainable restructuring of the local research on optics and photonics. The first two Junior Research Groups  established through this initiative were "Nanooptics" led by ACP principal scientist Thomas PERTSCH and "Relativistic Laser Physics" led by ACP principal scientist Malte KALUZA. These two groups acted as nuclei for a professional focus and the establishment of the Centre for Innovation Competence ZIK ultra optics, which was designed by a coordinated appeal and investment policies of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Moreover, in 2011 another two Junior Research Groups were granted by the BMBF within a second funding period of ZIK ultra optics, providing financial support until 2016. These groups are concerned with the former "Diamond- & Carbon Based Optical Systems" (Alexander SZAMEIT) and "Advanced Fabrication Technologies for Micro- and Nano-Optics" (Uwe ZEITNER).

Due to its great success, ZIK ultra optics was the major driving force for the foundation of the Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP) in 2010 and fostered the integration of Jena's research on optics and photonics with a much wider scope. Today, Ultra Optics is the first of three ACP key research areas and a synonym for successful research at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena with structural roots in innovative training programs as well as cooperative industrial relations. Today, the innovation fields and lines of research of Ultra Optics are particularly matched and crosslinked with one of ACP's prime collaborating institutions, the Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (Fraunhofer IOF)External link in Jena. In sum, numerous significant development stimuli of Ultra Optics during the last decade have led to the establishment of sustainable structures and cooperative relations with other institutions of science and economics, which reach out far beyond academia.