Optics Industry & Companies Thuringia

As a traditional optics stronghold, Thuringia has a deep pool of specialists for all aspects of optical technology.

University education 

Thuringian universities have Special degree programs and Departments:

• Photonics at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Combined Master and PhD programs in the fields of optics and photonics at the Abbe School of Photonics (FSU)
• Optical system technology as well as Mechatronics, Micro and Nanotechnology at the Ilmenau University of Technology
• Laser and optotechnologies and ophthalmic optics /optometry at the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena

Vocational and further training

In Thuringia specialists are trained in the following professions i.a.:

• Precision opticians and mechanics
• Mechatronics technicians
• Optometrists
• Microtechnologists
• Process mechanic in glass technology
• Physics laboratory assistants

Thuringian companies put a high priority on ongoing employee training. For example, the Jena Training Center - a Joint venture of Schott, Carl Zeiss and Jenoptik - produces highly trained specialists.

Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Ilmenau University of Technology and the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena also offer various further education programmes. In addition, OptoNet organises the JENA Optics Colloquium with the support of Carl Zeiss AG, JENOPTIK AG and the Thuringian research institutions.

A wide-ranging R&D landscape is at your disposal for innovative projects, comprehensively covering the spectrum of optical Technologies.

Selected non-university research institutions

• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering – IOF, Jena
• Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology – IPHT, Jena
• Institute for Microelectronic - and Mechatronic -Systems (IMMS), Ilmenau
• Research Institute for Microsensor Technology (CiS), Erfurt
• Günter Köhler Institute for Joining Technology and Materials Testing, Jena

Selected university research institutes

• Institute of Applied Optics (FSU Jena)
• Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics (FSU Jena)
• Institute of Condensed Matter Theory and Optics (FSU Jena)
• Otto Schott Institute for Material Research (FSU Jena)
• Abbe Center of Photonics (FSU Jena)
• Lighting Engineering Department (TU Ilmenau)
• Technical Optics Department (TU Ilmenau)
• Optical Design, Modeling and Simulation Optical Systems (TU Ilmenau)
• Institute for Applied Physics, FSU Jena
• Inorganic Nonmetallic Materials Department at the Institute of Materials Engineering (TU Ilmenau)

Innovation centers:

• Innovation Center for Quantum Optics and Sensing (InQuoSens), Jena and Ilmenau

Furthermore, established networks and initiatives such as OptoNet, medways or SpectroNet provide support in the search for suitable partners for innovation.

The Free State is home to world-class companies that set international standards in optical technologies.

ZEISS
ZEISS is a global leader in the optical and optoelectronic industry. The company, which was founded in Jena in 1846, is now headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. Jena plays host to all four ZEISS divisions: Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Medical Technology and Research Microscopy Solutions, the Planetariums unit and Central Research. It is also home to the central provider of production services for the ZEISS Group. The company is investing over € 300 million in a new integrated high-tech site in Jena.

JENOPTIK AG
Jenoptik is a globally active technology group that operates three photonics- based divisions – Light & Optics, Light & Production and Light & Safety – as well as VINCORION or mechatronics solutions.

LEONI Fiber Optics GmbH
LEONI Fiber Optics GmbH is a leading provider of fiber optic cables for special applications in manufacturing, sensor technology, analytics, science, communications and laser medicine.

Docter Optics SE
Docter Optics is the international market leader in optical glass projection lenses for automotive applications and a recognized supplier of optical components and systems to premier OEMs in various industries, including biometrics, digital projection, printing and machine vision.

GÖPEL electronic GmbH
Jena-based GÖPEL electronic GmbH is one of the leading providers of testing and inspection systems for electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards used primarily in the automotive, aviation, medical device and industrial electronics industries.

Jena-Optronik GmbH
Products and technologies from Thuringia play key roles in space missions that are as spectacular as they are pioneering. Customers around the globe trust Jena-Optronik GmbH to supply highprecision sensors for satellite attitude and orbit control and optical components for Earth observation. Over 300 satellites have Jena-made technology on board.

• ADVA Optical Networking, Meiningen
• Allied Vision Technologies GmbH, Stadtroda
• ams Sensors Germany GmbH, Jena
• Askion GmbH, Gera
• asphericon GmbH, Jena
• CDA GmbH, Suhl
• Grintech GmbH, Jena
• Hellma Optik GmbH, Jena
• Jabil Optics Germany GmbH, Jena
• LASOS Lasertechnik GmbH, Jena
• LAYERTEC GmbH, Mellingen
• NOBLEX GmbH, Eisfeld
• Optics Balzers Jena GmbH, Jena
• ORAFOL Fresnel Optics GmbH, Apolda
• POG Präzisionsoptik Gera GmbH, Gera
• Schott Technical Glass Solutions GmbH, Jena
• Vision & Control GmbH, Suhl
• Vistec Electron Beam GmbH, Jena