Fraunhofer IOF – We about us

Solutions with light

We conduct application-oriented research and development along the entire photonic innovation chain. Our highly trained scientists never lose sight of our research partners’ and customers’ mission, regardless of whether the goal is the scientific exploration of space or the transfer to commercial exploitation.

Together we strive for innovative solutions that provide a technological advantage in science and industry and open up new fields of application for photonics. Covering the whole range of basic research and applied research to the capability of prototypical production of components and systems, we develop suitable solutions for a multitude of photonic challenges. Our work is focused on the business areas of light sources and lasers, opto-mechanical systems, sensor technology and metrology and photonic quantum technology.

Our research is based on the passion to face challenges and to break new ground. 

Contract research with the offer of the complete process chain

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF develops solutions for all aspects of light generation, light guidance and light measurement. Depending on the task, we can offer the entire process chain or individual process steps for each of these areas – the design, the production of components, the assembly to opto-mechanical or opto-electronic systems, as well as a holistic characterization. The interdisciplinary concentration of our competences in the fields of optics and precision engineering allows us to develop complex and unique photonic components and systems.

From the definition of the problem to the market launch

If desired, we accompany our customers from their initial request to the market launch. All our research and development processes are carried out in line with market trends. This turns our ideas and approaches into sustainable solutions for our customers. We also take care of translating results and developments into the processes of our partners and customers in the form of personnel qualification or technology transfer.

Offer of services and patent licenses

• In addition to contract research, we also offer individual services according to our developed technologies. Our services include, for example, the functional coating of surfaces, material and component testing, ultra-precision machining of components, high-speed 3D measurements or the construction of tailor-made special machines. You can find more information about our services on the corresponding technology pages.
• Fraunhofer IOF holds a large number of patents on optical technologies and developments, for which we offer various licensing models. Our patents can be viewed on the websites of the corresponding technologies.

For industry, service companies and science

Our range of services is aimed at industrial and service companies of all sizes - whether small/medium-sized companies or corporations - and at scientific institutions. The customers of Fraunhofer IOF come from the fields of aerospace, medical and security technology, information, communication, consumer electronics, mobility, production and research.

Our range of services includes system solutions - new system design concepts, the development of technologies, manufacturing and measurement techniques, and the construction of prototypes and pilot series for applications in the wavelength range from millimeters to nanometers. In addition, we also assist our customers with integrating the solutions into their processes.

From Jena to the world and beyond

Our scientists also realize solutions for clients far outside Germany. Our developments are used wherever light can unfold its potential. Some developments from Fraunhofer IOF have even left the earth and are used on the International Space Station (ISS), among other places.

Contract research

We offer contract research in the field of optics and photonics to interested parties. Depending on the request of the contract research, cooperations can be realized with Fraunhofer IOF alone or together with other partners. According to the complexity of the problem, it is sometimes advisable to include different partners to find a solution. With the help of our broad national and international network with other Fraunhofer institutes, external research facilities as well as companies, we take on the coordination and serve as a point of contact for large-scale projects. Our employees have many years of experience with major projects and can also advise on state subsidies.

Talk to us and we can point out ways of working together and which expenses to expect. You can reach us quickly via our contact form. Or contact the appropriate contact person directly: You can find a list of contact persons here or on the pages of the corresponding technologies.

Services and patent licenses

We offer many of our processes and developments as services and various models for patent licenses. If you would like more detailed information on this topic, please get in touch with the respective contact of the department. A list of contacts can be found here or on the websites of the corresponding technologies.

• The cooperation with Fraunhofer IOF is customizable. We will adapt our cooperation method to your individual requirements.
• The initial consultation phase is free of charge. We will not charge you for our services until all agreements are finalized and the contracts are signed.
• Further information on cooperations (including rights, advertising, secrecy) can be found on the website "Everything you wanted to know about Fraunhofer (FAQs)".

Our cooperative principles and values

Reliability, a solution-focused approach, and quality as well as good scientific practice and customer satisfaction are the foundation of our work. We understand our customers and know their challenges of tomorrow. Together we develop holistic solutions for their long-term success.

We guarantee a fair cooperation based on trust. Respect, appreciation and openness are among our core values for working together. We are characterized by interdepartmental cooperation with flexible and agile work processes.

Our most important resource

Our success is based on the knowledge and enthusiasm of our employees. We offer excellent conditions and a high degree of self-determination. Our scientists actively shape the future of photonics. Therefore, we attach great importance to their professional promotion and personal development.

Innovative capacity through cooperation with basic research

Cooperation with the Institute of Applied Physics

Fraunhofer IOF works very closely with the Institute for Applied Physics of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (IAP), which conducts basic research. It is not only the same research topic of optics and photonics that the IAP and Fraunhofer IOF have in common; they also share Prof. Andreas Tünnermann, who is the director of both institutes. Together with other institutions, the research institutes pool their expertise and form the Center of Excellence in Photonics. This close cooperation enables us to offer our clients and research partners the complete innovation chain - from basic and application-oriented research to the realization of the final application - if required.

Benefits for our clients due to our network

The large number of excellent scientists and the outstanding technical equipment concentrated at the location in Jena give our customers and research partners an obvious competitive advantage in the realization of innovative optical technologies and outstanding projects.

Fraunhofer IOF (blue building complex in the foreground) and the Institute for Applied Physics (IAP; brownish buildings behind the Fraunhofer IOF) are located on the Beutenberg Campus in Jena. Besides many other facilities on the campus, research and development are carried out here. Due to our wide range of scientific disciplines, we are able to work efficiently on interdisciplinary projects.

Excellence right from the start

According to our customers’ orders, our scientists have been continuously researching new technologies and realizing optical components and systems since 1992. Their publications attest many of their successes. Overview of publications (by years)

In addition to scientific publications, the large number of our patents also stands for our scientific innovative capacity. Fraunhofer IOF holds many patents in the field of optical processes and developments. You can view the patents in the individual areas of expertise.

Optical developments for advancement

In the history of our research institute, we and our employees can look back on many exciting projects commissioned by customers and also on developments with added social benefits. We are very proud of our previous solutions with light and look forward to continuing to implement new ideas for our customers and partners.

Tiny LED array projector with great performance

The Welcome Light Carpet for the BMW 7 Series

The successfully practiced duality at Fraunhofer IOF as a mediator between basic research and application development is reflected in the market launch of the light carpet in the BMW 7 Series. Here, basic results of the Fraunhofer foundation project "facetVision" were successfully converted into marketable systems.

Intensity of lighting independent of its size

By developing a micro-optical array projector, the researchers succeeded in dissolving the connection between the size of the system and the intensity of lighting.

Honored with the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize

Dr. Peter Dannberg (Fraunhofer IOF), Dr. Peter Schreiber (Fraunhofer IOF) and Marcel Sieler (former Fraunhofer IOF) have been awarded the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize 2016 for their LED array projector, which is based on the model of insect eyes and is installed as a light carpet in high-end automobiles. Such innovations are only possible with a particular degree of scientific and technological excellence and with an outstanding cooperation with partners from the industry.

More information about the LED array projector for automotive applications

Hyperspectral measuring instrument DESIS

Earth observation from space

Since the summer of 2018, the Earth has been observed with the “Earth Sensing Imaging Spectrometer” instrument (DESIS for short) by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) from the International Space Station ISS using hyperspectral optics consisting of 235 spectral channels. DESIS observes the Earth's surface around the clock and provides DLR experts with important data on the current state and changes in land and water surfaces.

Components of the system

For this project, Fraunhofer IOF developed the optical system that provides the hyperspectral data for DESIS. The optical system consists, among others, of a three-mirror anastigmat (TMA). This telescope initially maps the observed strip of the Earth's surface onto a slit. This is followed by the actual imaging spectrometer while parallelly performing the spectral decomposition using a reflective grating.

Interdepartmental cooperation

We at Fraunhofer IOF are very proud of this project because all of our departments were involved in the development -  ranging from the design of single components as well as the whole system, the coatings of the components, and the manufacturing of the photonic sensors up to the assembly of the optical system.

New records in optical 3D measurement

New approaches in high-speed measurement

Industry and research already benefit from optical 3D measurement in many areas. However, its use has so far mostly been limited to static measurement tasks. At Fraunhofer IOF, completely new approaches have been developed to solve this problem, which allow a pattern projection of up to several kHz. These new approaches use micro-optical array projection techniques and new pattern projection methods (e.g., gobo projection). This opens up the possibility to capture highly dynamic processes and moving measurement scenes in 3D.

Measurable details despite high speed

For the measurement of highly dynamic processes, pattern sequences with very high frame rates must be projected onto the scene. Fraunhofer IOF has developed a projection system based on a powerful gas discharge lamp and a specially adapted pattern to meet these requirements. In combination with a high-speed stereo camera system, extremely high 3D measurement rates are possible. With this system, even the smallest deformations can be measured within fractions of a second. The IOF technology achieves 3D rates of up to 50,000 data records per second, each with over 200,000 measuring points on the surface of the examined object.

More information about the high-speed measuring system for 3D acquisition