Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

What Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences does

The Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOE CAS) is a non-profit national research institute founded in 1970 and headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Operating under the direct administration of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, it conducts basic, forward-looking, and disruptive research in optoelectronics aligned with China's national strategic needs. Its technology portfolio spans adaptive optics systems, beam control, micro-nano optics, quantum communication, ultra-precision optical manufacturing and testing, space optical remote sensing, deep ultraviolet lithography equipment, and biochip detection systems. The institute operates key national facilities including the Adaptive Optics National Key Laboratory and the Beam Control Key Laboratory, supported by an Institute-level Shared Testing Center with 38 instruments. Cumulative output includes 540+ scientific achievements, 1,700+ patent applications, 1,000+ granted patents, and 5,700+ published papers.

IOE's core products and systems include the URE-2000 series UV mask aligners for deep lithography (1µm resolution), the 1.8m Solar Telescope (China's first 2m-class solar telescope), the 1.2m Quantum Communication Ground Station Telescope used with the Micius satellite, space rendezvous and docking laser radars (deployed on Shenzhou and Tiangong), terrain cameras for Chang'e-3/4/5 lunar missions, a medium-resolution camera on Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter, retinal adaptive optics imaging systems, nuclear-environment underwater inspection robots, and biochip reading systems. Workforce of 1,200+ includes 2 CAE academicians, 100+ national-level talent experts, and 600+ senior technical personnel.

IOE's revenue model combines government-funded national research projects (national defense science and technology programs, NSFC grants, CAS strategic initiatives), technology transfer and commercialization of products (UV lithography, precision optics, biochip systems to domestic enterprises and institutions), and fee-based testing services through the Institute-level Shared Testing Center. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; transactions are conducted through government procurement, bilateral research agreements, and project-based contracts. Primary customer segments are national defense and space programs and the nuclear power industry, with secondary segments in semiconductor/biotechnology equipment and medical/healthcare devices. The institute does not employ commercial distribution or marketing channels, relying instead on academic publications, peer-reviewed journals (Optoelectronic Science/Engineering/Advances), international conferences, and government forums.

Name

Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Legal name

中国科学院光电技术研究所

Website

https://ioe.cas.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOE CAS) is a non-profit national research institute in Chengdu, China, developing adaptive optics, beam control, ultra-precision optical manufacturing, UV lithography, and space-qualified optical systems for China's defense, space, nuclear, and biomedical programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optoelectronic research equipment and precision optical instruments

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMABACAD

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Spacecraft & Launch Vehicle Manufacturing

SECONDARYIMAGAFAB

Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Electrical Equipment & Industrial Electronics/Sensors, Instrumentation & Measurement (Industrial sensing, metrology, test)

SECONDARYHDAHALAM

Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Semiconductors & Electronic Components/Sensors, MEMS & Optoelectronics

SECONDARYHLAHAJAH

Cataract Surgery Systems & IOLs (Phaco Systems, IOLs, Intraoperative Aberrometry, Viscoelastics)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Ophthalmic Devices (Vision Care & Surgical)

SECONDARYHDAHAAAH

Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Semiconductors & Electronic Components/Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs)

Keywords

• Optoelectronic research
• Adaptive optics systems
• UV lithography equipment
• Precision optical instruments
• Space optical payloads

Headquarters

HQ city

Chengdu

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Government Funded Research Projects: IOE generates revenue primarily through national research funding programs, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China, national defense science and technology programs, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences strategic research initiatives. Revenue is project-based and supports the institute's national mission-driven research activities.
2. Technology Transfer and Commercialization: IOE transfers technologies and equipment to domestic enterprises and institutions. Products include UV lithography equipment, precision optical components, biochip detection instruments, and adaptive optics systems sold to universities, research institutes, semiconductor manufacturers, and nuclear power plants.
3. Testing and Technical Services: The Institute-level Shared Testing Center (共用检测技术所级中心) provides 16 testing service parameters including optical material characterization, optical surface error detection, optical system imaging quality testing, geometric size measurement, environmental testing, and chemical analysis for external clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IOE CAS develops, manufactures, and transfers optoelectronic instruments and systems, including UV lithography equipment (URE-2000 series), biochip detection instruments, adaptive optics retinal imaging systems, large-aperture solar and quantum-communication telescopes, space-qualified cameras and laser radars for lunar and Mars missions, nuclear-environment underwater robots, and ultra-precision optical manufacturing and testing platforms. Its primary customers are Chinese national defense and space programs, nuclear power operators, semiconductor and biotech manufacturers, and medical and research institutions.

Product overview

The Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (光电所) develops a comprehensive portfolio of optical, optoelectronic, and precision manufacturing equipment and systems. Core offerings include UV lithography systems (URE-2000 series), biochip detection instruments (SCAN-3, CCD biochip Tester, Biochip Reading System), nuclear inspection robots (JQR-05G/L), large-aperture solar telescopes, space exploration cameras (Chang'e lunar landing cameras, Mars orbit cameras), adaptive optics systems for retinal imaging, quantum communication telescopes, and ultra-precision optical manufacturing and testing equipment. The institute also develops atmospheric propagation compensation systems using wavefront sensors and deformable mirrors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• URE-2000A UV Mask Aligner for Deep Lithography i-line UV deep lithography system for fabricating microelectronics, micro-optics, MEMS, infrared devices, and biochips, achieving 1 µm resolution, 83° line sharpness, ±3% illumination uniformity, and ±0.3 µm overlay accuracy.
• URE-2000B UV Mask Aligner for Deep Lithography High-resolution UV lithography system providing 1 µm resolution, ±0.3 µm overlay accuracy, 83° line sharpness, and an aspect ratio greater than 20:1 for microelectronics and MEMS fabrication.
• URE-2000S UV Mask Aligner for Single/Double-Sided Deep Lithography Double-sided deep UV lithography system using CCD image-based alignment technology with 1.2 µm resolution and 0.5 µm alignment accuracy.
• URE-2000/25 Mask Aligner for i-Line Deep Lithography Advanced i-line deep lithography equipment for micro-fabrication with automatic leveling, focusing, and high-resolution pattern alignment capabilities.
• SCAN-3 Laser Confocal Biochip Scanner Precision laser confocal scanner for biological chip detection with high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and high signal-to-noise ratio, supporting 470 nm, 532 nm, and 635 nm wavelengths with 5-200 µm resolution.
• CCD Biochip Tester High-efficiency digital imaging apparatus for low-light-level biochip detection, using a cooled 12-bit CCD covering 480 nm to 630 nm with 70 µm spatial resolution.
• Biochip Reading System Detection and analysis system for protein chips used in birth defect detection, food safety, and drug residue testing, with ≤2% repeatability and ≤5% stability.
• JQR-05G/L Robot for Salvaging Underwater Foreign Bodies Nuclear-grade underwater robot for crawling, video monitoring, and salvaging foreign bodies in nuclear power stations, operating at 25 m depth with six-wheel drive and radiation resistance.
• 1.8m Solar Telescope China's first 2-meter-class solar telescope with a 451-element high-order adaptive optics system, ground layer adaptive optics (GLAO), and multi-band high-resolution imaging capabilities; achieved first light in December 2019.
• 1.2m Quantum Communication Ground Station Telescope High-precision telescope for quantum communication achieving intercontinental quantum key distribution and secure video calls with the Micius satellite over 1,200 km.
• Medium-Resolution Camera (Tianwen-1 Mars Orbiter) Mars orbiter payload camera for color imaging of the Martian surface, capturing the first Chinese color images of the Martian north polar region onboard the Tianwen-1 orbiter.
• Chang'e Lander Terrain Camera Lightweight space camera for the Chang'e-3 and Chang'e-4 lunar landers, capturing the first color image of the five-starred red flag on the lunar surface and the first color terrain images from the far side of the Moon.
• Retinal Adaptive Optics Imaging System Cell-scale retinal imaging system for early detection and clinical research of ocular diseases using adaptive optics, with medical device registration certificate obtained in 2011.
• 19-Unit Compact Human Eye Retinal Adaptive Optics Imaging System World's first 19-element integrated micro deformable mirror system for human eye retinal imaging, making China the second country after the US to achieve high-resolution retinal imaging using adaptive optics technology.
• Adaptive Optics Visual Training Instrument Therapeutic device for amblyopia treatment achieving 70% effectiveness for patients over 12 years old, with patents granted in China, the United States, Japan, and France.
• Tip-Tilt Aberration Compensation System for Laser Array Atmospheric Propagation Wavefront sensing system using a modified Shack-Hartmann sensor and a segmented deformable mirror, achieving Strehl ratios above 0.92 and beam quality factors β below 1.37 under moderate turbulence (r₀ = 5 cm) for laser array atmospheric propagation.
• Ultra-Precision Optical Manufacturing and Testing Platform Platform for manufacturing and testing optical elements up to 300 mm aperture, including flat, spherical, aspheric, cylindrical, and cone mirrors; flat/spherical surfaces reach deep sub-nanometer surface figure (<0.3 nm RMS) and surface roughness below 0.2 nm RMS.
• Precision Turntable High-precision rotary stages for aerospace ground simulation and testing, with bearing tolerance of 0.001 mm and cylindricity of 0.001 mm.
• Hartmann Wavefront Sensor (Laser Beam Diagnostic Instrument) Laser beam quality diagnostic instrument for near-field wavefront and intensity distribution measurement, providing a quantitative basis for beam quality assessment.
• Scanning Electron Microscope Surface morphology measurement instrument achieving 0.8 nm@15 kV measurement precision.

Quantifiable outcome

• Strehl ratios above 0.92 and beam quality factors β below 1.37 achieved in laser array tip-tilt aberration compensation under moderate turbulence (r₀ = 5 cm)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Tongji University, Zhejiang University, Hunan University, UESTC, and Other UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2026The First 'Tianfu Light' Adaptive Optics Frontier Technology Seminar brought together over 40 experts and researchers from universities and research institutes. IOE's Adaptive Optics National Key Laboratory continues this seminar as an annual academic exchange platform.
• China Academy of Space Technology (航天五院)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2026Vice President Zhao Ning of the China Academy of Space Technology (航天五院) led a delegation to IOE for research exchange. IOE Director Luo Xiangang attended the meeting. Both parties agreed to continue the excellent tradition of cooperation inherited from older generations of scientists and to deepen collaboration around national major needs.
• Tsinghua University (蔡峥, Department of Astronomy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026Tsinghua University's Department of Astronomy Associate Professor Cai Zheng delivered the inaugural lecture for the Adaptive Optics National Key Laboratory's Frontier Lecture Series. Cai Zheng is leading construction of the world's largest spectral survey telescope (MUST) and collaborates with IOE's lab on joint research.
• Jiangsu New Quality Productivity Promotion Center and Business DelegationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026A Jiangsu provincial government-enterprise delegation led by the Jiangsu New Quality Productivity Promotion Center Director Li Xuhong and Pizhou Deputy Mayor Chen Bo visited IOE for research exchange. The delegation included multiple key enterprises and explored technology collaboration and project cooperation for cross-regional technology transfer.
• National Laboratory on Adaptive OpticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOE's Adaptive Optics National Key Laboratory works in close collaboration with the National Laboratory on Adaptive Optics, jointly conducting research on tip-tilt aberration compensation for laser array atmospheric propagation, Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing, and segmented deformable mirror technologies.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences (and subsidiaries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOE is a direct subordinate institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and collaborates extensively with other CAS institutes including Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP), Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (AIOFM), Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics (SITP), and the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR).
• Sichuan University, University of Electronic Science and Technology (UESTC), and Other UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOE collaborates with major universities including Sichuan University (for optics and mechanical engineering), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (for control systems and electronics), and other institutions for joint talent cultivation, research collaboration, and technology transfer. IOE also runs joint graduate education programs with University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
• Yunnan Astronomical ObservatorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOE's Adaptive Optics National Key Laboratory works with Yunnan Astronomical Observatory's 1m New Vacuum Solar Telescope, achieving successful large field-of-view solar observation using IOE's MCAO (Multi-Layer Conjugate Adaptive Optics) system — a landmark collaboration making China the third country to master solar MCAO technology.
• University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOE collaborated with USTC and other units on the 1.2m quantum communication ground station telescope, achieving high-precision space-to-ground alignment with the Micius quantum satellite and conducting world's first satellite-ground quantum key distribution experiments over 1,200km.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences Chengdu BranchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOE is located in the CAS Chengdu Division (成都分院) cluster and collaborates with other CAS institutes in the Chengdu region. IOE participated in CAS Chengdu Division's joint symposium and received visits from CAS leadership including President Hou Jianguo.
• Tianfu Xinglong Lake Laboratory (天府兴隆湖实验室)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTianfu Xinglong Lake Laboratory is listed as a co-organizer of the 2026 Western China International Optoelectronic Expo (西部光电博览会), alongside IOE and other optical societies. This represents collaboration on joint industry promotion and exhibition activities.
• Tongji University, Zhejiang University, Hunan University, UESTCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe First 'Tianfu Light' Adaptive Optics Frontier Technology Seminar organized by IOE's Adaptive Optics National Key Laboratory featured academic reports from experts at Tongji University, Zhejiang University, Hunan University, and UESTC on topics including high-precision mapping and remote sensing, light field regulation, flat optics, semiconductor lasers, and infrared detection.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences