The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF is getting a new research building. With additional laboratory and clean room space, room will be created on Jena’s Beutenberg Campus for new research work, especially in important future fields such as quantum technologies. On July 15, the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone took place with selected representatives from politics and science.

Innovative ideas need space to develop and grow into great things. With the new extension building, the Fraunhofer IOF will have new laboratories and office space on an area of more than two thousand square meters in the immediate vicinity of the previous building parts of the institute.

The third extension of the research institute is an important strategic step for its future. The additional laboratory and clean room space will be used in particular to advance relevant future topics such as quantum technologies. A growing volume of research is expected here in the coming years. The institute is already involved in extensive projects on highly secure quantum communication, hardware development for powerful quantum computers, and quantum-based imaging methods, e.g. for medical diagnostics.

The latest extension of the Fraunhofer IOF costs 23 million euros and is financed in equal parts by the state and the federal government. Institute director Prof Andreas Tünnermann is already looking forward to the completion of the extension building, which is planned for 2023: “With our newest research building, we gain important space for the implementation of original ideas in quantum technologies with added value for German and European industry. This is an important strategic step for our institute, as the new building will allow us to synergistically combine the various activities in quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum imaging.”

Founded in 1992, the Fraunhofer IOF was initially located in the center of the city of Jena, in the so-called Eulenhaus on Schillerstrasse. For capacity reasons, the institute moved to a new building on the Beutenberg Campus in 2002. In 2011, the first extension building followed there. In 2017, the fiber technology center with fiber drawing tower, which is directly integrated into the building complex, was opened.

To date, the research institute has experienced steady growth: nearly 420 people are currently working there with passion to make light usable as a versatile tool for the benefit of society, business, and industry.