Partner Portrait: Fraunhofer IOF – Research from Thuringia with Impact Reaching into Space

They all benefit from technologies developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Jena. The institute is one of Thuringia's most important research and innovation actors and produces solutions that are used worldwide in industry, digitalization, communication, and space travel.

However, successful innovations do not arise from excellent research alone. They require strong partnerships, functioning networks, and continuous exchange between science, industry, and politics. This is precisely where Fraunhofer IOF and Innovativ Thüringen have been working closely together for many years.

Since its founding in 1992, the Fraunhofer IOF has been developing solutions with light for current challenges in business, industry, and society. Today, the institute covers the entire photonic innovation chain – from optical system design and micro- and nano-optics, precision optics, and laser and fiber technologies to imaging, sensor technology, and optical quantum technologies. 

Innovation engine for the Thuringian economy

The importance of the institute extends far beyond basic research. Thuringia is one of Germany's leading photonics locations. Around 195 companies with approximately 16,900 employees generate annual revenue of around four billion euros in the optics and photonics industry. With an export share of around 72% and a research and development share of around 15%, the industry is one of the most important growth drivers in the Free State. About one in ten German photonics companies is based in Thuringia.

For Thuringian companies, Fraunhofer IOF is a central innovation partner both for specific technological questions and along the entire innovation chain from the idea through components and demonstrators to application-oriented system solutions. The research results of Fraunhofer IOF thus find their way directly into new products, processes and business models and thereby strengthen the competitiveness of an entire industry. 

Research with international impact

The innovative strength of Fraunhofer IOF extends far beyond Thuringia. Research and technologies from Jena are used worldwide in science, industry, and space travel. Several developments by the institute have been awarded the German Future Prize. These include high-performance LEDs, ultrashort pulse lasers for industrial manufacturing, and EUV lithography, which enables the production of ever smaller and more powerful microchips.

Thuringian technology on a mission in space

The international significance of the institute in space travel is particularly evident. The institute's high-precision mirrors are part of the James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful space telescope in human history to date. The Jupiter mission JUICE also benefits from Jena research. An instrument developed jointly with partners is intended to measure the moon Ganymede there.trade fairs. 

Currently, the Fraunhofer IOF is also contributing to the success of the European Earth observation mission FLEX. The mission's goal is to collect data on vegetation health from space. For the spectrometer, the institute developed a central optical assembly.

Further link: MDR THÜRINGEN JOURNAL - Research satellite launched into space - watch here

At the same time, the researchers are advancing future fields such as quantum communication. With the QuNET initiative, the institute coordinates one of Germany's most significant research programs for the development of highly secure communication networks. 

Skilled workers and companies emerge from research

Together with Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena, and the Technical University of Ilmenau, the institute trains skilled workers for key future industries. This makes Fraunhofer IOF not only a research location, but also a place for education, qualification, and employment.

In addition, new collaborations, transfer projects, and technology-oriented spin-offs regularly emerge from the research. Companies such as SPACEOPTIX or Quantum Optics Jena exemplify how scientific findings can be translated into economic value creation and new jobs.

Partnership in Practice

Scientific Expertise for the Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS) Thuringia

Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann, Director of the Fraunhofer IOF, is involved as a scientific spokesperson in the RIS Strategy Advisory Board of the specialization field "Industrial Production and Systems". This role is far more than a representative mandate. It ensures that, in the further development of the Thuringian Innovation Strategy, future scientific topics are aligned with industrial challenges at an early stage.

LEG Thüringen as a bridge between research and industry

For research results to find their way into the economy, strong networks are needed. At the Thüringer Maschinenbautag 2026, Dr. Peter Kühmstedt, Head of the "Imaging and Sensor Technology" department at Fraunhofer IOF, presented a mobile hand scanner for AI-supported maintenance processes. In an on-site conversation, he emphasized the added value of LEG Thüringen . For Fraunhofer IOF, the team at Innovativ Thüringen is an important communication platform and networking body, as it facilitates the initiation of new innovation projects by supporting the search for partners, providing information about funding opportunities, and helping to develop project ideas and applications. 

Fraunhofer IOF also contributes its research expertise to the Thuringian RUBIN alliance "QUANTIFISENS". Innovativ Thüringen was involved in initiating the alliance and has accompanied it as an associated partner to this day. In addition, the institute regularly participates in international delegation trips of the Thüringen International team. Thus, Fraunhofer IOF will also take part in the upcoming business trip to South Africa and thereby contribute to the international visibility of Thuringia as an innovation location.

Joint platforms for transfer and networking

The collaboration is evident, among other things, at events such as InnoCON Thüringen, which offers practical assistance and strategic impulses for technologies, knowledge transfer and networking, and is held annually by LEG Thüringen on behalf of the Thuringian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Areas (TMWLLR). Innovativ Thüringen is also represented as an exhibitor at the Photonics Days Jena, a platform for professionals and location marketing, held annually by the Institute and the Max Planck School of Photonics. Here, Contacte emerge, from which research collaborations, joint projects and new business ideas arise.

Support for start-ups and spin-offs

The Digital Innovation Hub Photonics (DIHP) also plays an important role. Since 2019, the hub has supported spin-offs from science as well as collaborations between external start-ups and research institutions. Kay Sawatzky, deputy team leader of Innovativ Thüringen, is part of the expert jury here. 

Thuringian Aerospace Day

How successfully this interaction works will be demonstrated at the first Thuringian Aerospace Day on October 1, 2026, in Jena. This creates, for the first time, a statewide format that brings together the players in the industry. Representatives from industry, small and medium-sized businesses, research, and politics will discuss transformation, decarbonization, and the future of aerospace there.

The Fraunhofer IOF exemplifies how concrete innovations emerge from excellent research. Together with partners from science, industry, and politics, the institute develops technologies that have an impact far beyond Thuringia. The collaboration with Innovativ Thüringen supports the transfer into practice and sustainably strengthens the competitiveness of Thuringia as an innovation location.

For the 1st Thuringian Aerospace Day

Image: ©OHB System AG / DLR