The 14th conference has become more international
A look back at the 14th Jena Laser Conference.
A key event for the photonics and laser industry, the Jena Laser Conference welcomed over 180 participants for two exciting days in early November. The conference highlighted cutting-edge research, industry innovations, and international collaboration. A highlight of the event was the strengthened collaboration with Lithuania, a global leader in photonics and laser innovation.
Lithuanian experts shared insights into ultrafast lasers, advanced beam shaping, and high-power laser technologies, showcasing the importance of global cooperation in driving innovation.
The conference featured outstanding keynote talks. Among others, Dr Jochen Stollenwerk (Fraunhofer ILT) discussed laser fusion as a sustainable energy solution, Dr Michael Kösters (Trumpf Laser) presented on high-power lasers for EUV lithography, and Prof Ingomar Kelbassa (Fraunhofer IAPT) highlighted the transformative impact of digitized additive manufacturing. Alongside the keynotes, the agenda included sessions on laser material processing, optical coatings, and dynamic beam shaping, offering attendees a chance to explore the latest advances and connect with leading experts.
A standout feature was the industry exhibition with 23 renowned exhibitors, including Jenoptik, Light Conversion, Active Fiber Systems and many more. The exhibition provided an excellent platform to discover latest technologies and foster collaboration between academia and industry.
Jointly organized by OptoNet, IFW Jena, Friedrich Schiller University Jena / IAPT, and the University of Applied Sciences Jena, the Jena Laser Conference continues to be a leading forum for advancing laser technology. The organizers thank all speakers, participants, sponsors, and exhibitors for making this event a great success and look forward to the next edition in 2026.
PhotonicsViews issue 5/2024 features several conference contributions in a special section, e.g. articles from or with Active Fiber Systems, Asphericon, Ekspla, Lasea, LCP Laser-Cut-Processing, Robust AO, or TU Chemnitz.
Further reading: Gediminas Račiukaitis & Kristina Ananičienė (both: Lithuanian Laser Association): A small country with high ambitions – The Lithuanian laser industry, 40 years of innovation, PhotonicsViews 20(4), August/September 2023, Pages 34-36; DOI: 10.1002/phvs.202300031
Company
OptoNet e.V.Leutragraben 1
07743 Jena
Germany
most read
Qioptiq Photonics becomes Excelitas Germany
The renaming is part of the global consolidation of the Excelitas Group.
Process automation: slight growth in incoming orders in 2025
Incoming orders for measurement technology and process automation grew in the low single-digit percentage range worldwide between January and September 2025.
New member of the board of VDMA Robotics + Automation
Dr. Michael Jürgens, CEO of Kuka Robotics, has been appointed to the board of the VDMA trade association.
The winners of the inspect award 2025
This time, with two additional categories, “SMEs” and “Artificial Intelligence,” the selection was even larger than usual. But now they have been chosen: the machine vision products of the year 2025.
Softbank acquires ABB's robotics business
The Softbank Group has reached a definitive agreement to acquire ABB's robotics business.