SIOM
SIOM is the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, founded in 1964 as China's earliest laser science institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It conducts fundamental and applied research in laser physics, high-power laser engineering, quantum optics, and optical materials, serving the global scientific community and Chinese national defense programs via government-funded research programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SIOM does
SIOM (Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics) is a government research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, founded in 1964 as the earliest institute in China specializing in laser science and technology. The institute conducts fundamental and applied research across laser physics, high-power laser engineering, strong field physics, information optics, quantum optics, optical materials, and laser/optoelectronic devices. Its core technology portfolio is anchored by the SG-II laser facility family - including the SG-II UP nanosecond laser (8 beams, 40 kJ/3 ns), the SG-II PW petawatt facility (10^20 W/cm^2 focused intensity), and the SG-II 5PW (1.76 PW, 21 fs) - and the Shanghai Superintense Ultrafast Lasers Facility (SULF), targeting 100 PW extreme light physics research. Adjacent platforms include a downsized free-electron laser (12-meter footprint versus kilometer-scale conventional), pulsed optically pumped cold atomic clocks, thin-film polarizers, airborne and space laser systems, and Nd-doped phosphate laser glass.
SIOM operates on government research funding rather than commercial product sales. Revenue flows from national important special projects, state administrative departments, and CAS appropriations; the institute does not publish pricing or revenue figures. Its customer base is essentially the global scientific research community - universities, scientific institutions, government, and national defense agencies - reached through international conferences, joint research centers, visiting scholar programs, and publication/patent output. The institute employs over 1,000 staff including 400+ senior researchers and hosts 692 PhD and master's students. Leadership comprises a Director, multiple Vice Directors, and Party Committee Secretary appointed through the CAS system.
Distribution of SIOM's research outputs occurs through academic publication (600+ papers/year), patent filings (200+/year), formal technology transfer agreements, and international research collaboration. The institute maintains strategic alliances with the Russian Academy of Sciences, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, SPIE, Handong Global University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of Stuttgart, and MIT, and has hosted Nobel laureates Gerard Mourou, John Lewis Hall, and Ferenc Krausz as honorary/visiting professors. Recognition includes 49 national-level awards, 300+ provincial awards, designation as International Cooperation Base (2007), and a Nature cover-story publication for the FEL breakthrough.
SIOM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SIOM
- Legal name
- Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics
- Website
- https://english.siom.cas.cn
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- SIOM is the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, founded in 1964 as China's earliest laser science institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It conducts fundamental and applied research in laser physics, high-power laser engineering, quantum optics, and optical materials, serving the global scientific community and Chinese national defense programs via government-funded research programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SIOM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scientific Research - Laser Science and Optics
- NAICS
- Glass and Glass Product Manufacturing (32721)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronic / Photonics Foundries (Silicon Photonics/LED/Laser) (HDAHACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Optics & Laser/Light Engine Components (Lenses, Galvos, Laser Modules, UV Engines) (IMAAAIAC)
Keywords
Where SIOM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
SIOM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Government research funding: As a Chinese Academy of Sciences research institute, SIOM receives government funding for scientific research and development activities. The institute conducts research funded by national important special projects and various state administrative departments.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
SIOM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SIOM is a government research institute that conducts fundamental and applied research in laser science, optics, and photonics. It develops large-scale laser engineering systems and facilities (including SG-II and SULF), produces optical materials and optoelectronic devices, and generates research outputs through publications, patents, and technology transfer rather than selling commercial products.
Product overview
SIOM (Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics) is a research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, established in 1964 as the earliest institute in China specializing in laser science and technology. It is not a product company but conducts research in laser physics and optical technology. The institute's major research infrastructure includes the SG-II laser facility family (covering nanosecond, petawatt, and 5PW configurations), the Shanghai Superintense Ultrafast Lasers Facility (SULF), free-electron lasing technology, cold atomic clock systems, thin film polarizers, and airborne/space laser systems. These represent research facilities and technological capabilities rather than commercial products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SG-II Laser Facility
- Shanghai Superintense Ultrafast Lasers Facility (SULF)
- Free-Electron Lasing (FEL) Technology
- Cold Atomic Clock
- Thin Film Polarizer
- Airborne and Space Laser Systems
- Nd Doped Phosphate Glass
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 600 scientific papers published annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SIOM
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SIOM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
SIOM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- SPIE (International Society for Optical Engineering)coreCo-hosted the 9th International Conference on Pacific Rim Laser Damage (PLD 2021) with Chinese Academy of Sciences. SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics.
- International Symposium on High Power Laser Science and Engineering (HPLSE)coreSIOM organized the 4th International Symposium on High Power Laser Science and Engineering (HPLSE2021) in Suzhou, with academician co-chairs including Xian-Tu He, Dianyuan Fan, and Colin Danson.
- Institute of Applied Physics (IAP), Russian Academy of SciencescoreJointly organized the 2nd China-Russia Frontier Seminar on Ultra Intense Laser Technology and Intense Field Physics.
- ELI-ALPSmajorProf. Nasr Hafiz from ELI-ALPS visited SIOM as visiting scientist under CAS President's International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) 2020. Presented talk on plasma Wakefield acceleration of electrons.
- International Conference on Ultrafast PhenomenonmajorSIOM successfully organized the 22nd International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomenon (UP2020) online.
- 2019 Shanghai Science and Technology AwardsmajorShen Baifei, researcher from SIOM, received recognition for his laser light pressure-driven ion acceleration scheme research providing technological support for Shanghai Superintense-Ultrafast Lasers Facility.
- University of Stuttgart and Massachusetts Institute of TechnologymajorCollaborated with University of Stuttgart and MIT on PhysenNet research - physics-enhanced deep neural network for computational imaging. Research published in Light: Science and Applications.
- Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)coreHigh-level delegation from RAS visited SIOM including President Professor Sergeyev. Agreed to initiate serial seminars and MOUs at different levels. Collaboration on extreme light physics and femtosecond lasers. Delegation visited State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics and SULF facility.
- Hebrew University / Prof. ARIE ZIGLERmajorProf. ARIE ZIGLER conducted two-week cooperative experiment with NLHPLP in SIOM under PIFI program. Collaborative research on plasma lenses and ultra-short-pulse high-intensity lasers.
- Gerard Mourou (2018 Physics Nobel Prize Winner)coreNobel laureate in physics working closely with SIOM scientists on ultra-short pulse laser programs. Collaboration planned on high-intensity single-cycle laser pulse research and proton acceleration research. Mourou praised China's fast progress in laser science.
- Korea Atomic Energy Research InstitutecoreChina-Korea High Energy Density Laser Physics Joint Research Center established. The China-Korea Optical Technology Research Center (OTRC) was originally founded in 1999, renamed China-Korea Optical Science & Technology Cooperation Center (OSTCC) in 2002.
- Gerard MouroucoreProf. Gerard Mourou awarded CAS Einstein Professor at SIOM. French physicist known for chirped pulse amplification technique.
- Ferenc KrauszcoreProf. Ferenc Krausz awarded Honorary Professor at SIOM. Nobel laureate in physics for attosecond physics research.
- Handong Global University, KoreamajorFive-year MoU signed between SIOM and Handong Global University for cooperation in research and education in laser technology fields. Prof. Young Gil Kim, president of HGU, participated in signing ceremony.
- John Lewis Hall (2005 Physics Nobel Prize Winner)coreNobel Laureate Prof. John Lewis Hall visited SIOM and gave presentation on Optical Comb. Shared Nobel Prize for contributions to laser-based precision spectroscopy and optical frequency comb technique.
- Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversitymajorSIOM signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai Jiao Tong University for collaborative research and education in optics and related fields.
- Technology University of Madrid, SpainmajorFive-year cooperation memorandum signed for academic exchange, researcher visits, information exchange, and scientific workshops. Focus on nuclear energy fusion and related laser physics research.
- Govind P. AgrawalmajorProf. Govind P. Agrawal awarded Honorary Professor at SIOM. Author of Nonlinear Fiber Optics and other influential optics textbooks.
- Korea-China Optical Science and Technology Cooperation Centercore3rd Joint Steering Committee meeting held in Sanya, Hainan. Ongoing cooperation in optical science and technology between China and Korea.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SIOM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI): Korean national lab with established joint China-Korea High Energy Density Laser Physics Research Center with SIOM. Regional peer in high-energy-density laser physics and inertial fusion research.
- ELI Beamlines / HiLASE Centre: Czech-based high-power laser user facility. Comparable to SIOM in operating user-accessible petawatt-class lasers, though geographically focused on European users.
Broad incumbents
- RIKEN: Japan's flagship national research institute with major programs in attosecond science and free-electron lasers (SACLA). Overlapping research scope in ultrafast optics, FEL technology, and extreme-light physics.
- Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) - Laser domain: French government R&D organization with major programs in laser megajoule (LMJ) for ICF and ultrafast optics. SIOM has historical collaboration with CEA scientists via SPIE and bilateral programs.
Direct peers
- Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI): European consortium of ultra-intense laser research facilities in Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania. Direct peer in extreme-light and attosecond science; SIOM already has collaboration with ELI-ALPS.
- Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy: German research institute focused on ultrafast laser science and strong-field physics. Comparable to SIOM in attosecond and high-intensity optics research.
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), University of Rochester: Leading US academic high-power laser facility operating the OMEGA laser for ICF and high-energy-density physics. Comparable to SIOM in operating large-scale user facilities and training graduate researchers in laser science.
- Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (STFC): UK's national laser research facility offering high-power laser access to academic and industrial users. Comparable in operating multi-beam user facilities for plasma and materials research.
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) / National Ignition Facility: US DOE national laboratory operating the NIF, the world's largest laser facility for inertial confinement fusion research. Most direct international peer to SIOM's SG-II facility in terms of mission, scale, and physics research focus.
- Osaka University Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE): Japan's flagship university-affiliated laser research institute operating the GEKKO and LFEX lasers for ICF and high-field science. Closest regional peer to SIOM in Asia with comparable research scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SIOM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SIOM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
SIOM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SIOM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SIOM
What does SIOM do?
SIOM is a government research institute that conducts fundamental and applied research in laser science, optics, and photonics. It develops large-scale laser engineering systems and facilities (including SG-II and SULF), produces optical materials and optoelectronic devices, and generates research outputs through publications, patents, and technology transfer rather than selling commercial products.
Is SIOM a public or private company?
SIOM is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was SIOM founded?
SIOM was founded in 1964. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is SIOM based?
SIOM is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does SIOM make money?
One revenue line is on record: government research funding.
Who are SIOM's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and ELI Beamlines / HiLASE Centre. Broad incumbents are RIKEN and Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) - Laser domain. Direct peers are Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI), Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy, Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), University of Rochester, Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (STFC), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) / National Ignition Facility and Osaka University Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE).
Does SIOM have an API?
No public API is recorded for SIOM.
What industry is SIOM in?
SIOM's product category is Scientific Research - Laser Science and Optics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHACAG, Optoelectronic / Photonics Foundries (Silicon Photonics/LED/Laser), with a secondary code of IMAAAIAC, Optics & Laser/Light Engine Components (Lenses, Galvos, Laser Modules, UV Engines). Its NAICS code is 32721 and its SIC code is 3827.