Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics

What Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics does

Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP) is a state-level research institute established in 1952 under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, headquartered in Changchun, Jilin Province, China, and recognized as the 'cradle of optics' of New China. It operates 18 research departments including six national key laboratories and engineering centers spanning applied optics, luminescence, optical system advanced manufacturing, diffraction gratings, and green photonics. CIOMP's core technical capabilities cover large-aperture silicon carbide mirrors, high-precision diffraction gratings, high-end CMOS image sensors, ultra-precision microscopic objectives, and contributions to quantum information science.

The institute's business model is non-commercial at the parent level, funded primarily through Chinese government research programs and CAS strategic mandates, with monetization occurring via technology transfer and a commercialization ecosystem of more than 90 spin-off enterprises managed through Changguang Group. Notable spin-offs include Chang Guang Satellite Technology (Jilin-1 commercial remote sensing constellation of 138 satellites), CNI (China's largest diode-pumped solid-state laser manufacturer), Gpixel (high-end CMOS image sensors), Cedar Electronics (COB LED displays), KingCera (silicon carbide composites), UP Optotech, and Yuheng Optics. Revenue also flows indirectly from graduate education (1,943 Master's and 2,269 Ph.D. degrees conferred) and from co-publishing the journal Light: Science & Applications with Nature Publishing Group (Impact Factor 19.4).

CIOMP serves national strategic priorities in space optical systems, semiconductor lithography self-sufficiency, defense optics, and biomedicine, while maintaining a global academic network through partnerships with TU Delft and the Dutch Optics Centre (CIOMP-DOC Conference), Fraunhofer IOF (UPM Workshop), University of Rochester (Light Conference), Polish Academy of Sciences (iNOW), and Thailand's NARIT (CAS-MHESI Symposium). Customer segments span government and national research programs, industrial manufacturers via spin-offs, biomedical researchers, and the global academic optics community.

Name

Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics

Legal name

Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP), Chinese Academy of Sciences

Website

https://english.ciomp.cas.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CIOMP is a state-level Chinese Academy of Sciences research institute founded in 1952 that conducts advanced optics, precision mechanics, and photonics research, serves China's national space and defense programs, and commercializes technology through 90+ spin-off companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Changchun

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding and National Research Programs: As an institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, CIOMP receives government funding for national research programs and strategic R&D projects in optics, precision instruments, and related fields.
2. Technology Transfer and Spin-off Companies: CIOMP has invested in more than 90 enterprises including one publicly listed company. Spin-off companies commercialize research outcomes through product sales, creating revenue through dividends and equity appreciation. Companies include Changguang Group, UP Optotech, CNI laser products, Gpixel CMOS sensors, Changguang Satellite Technology, and others.
3. Graduate Education and Training Services: CIOMP offers graduate education programs with 8 master's programs, 6 doctoral programs, and 3 postdoctoral research programs. The institute has conferred 1,943 Master's degrees and 2,269 Ph.D. degrees, serving as an important base for postgraduate education within CAS.
4. Academic Publishing - Light: Science & Applications: CIOMP co-publishes the journal Light: Science & Applications with Nature Publishing Group. The journal achieved an impact factor of 19.4 in 2023, ranking among the top three international optics journals. Light Publishing Group manages the journal operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CIOMP is a state-level research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences that conducts advanced research in optics, applied optics, optical engineering, luminescence, and precision mechanics. It operates 18 research departments including national key laboratories, offers graduate and postdoctoral education programs, and commercializes research outcomes through a network of more than 90 spin-off enterprises producing lasers, CMOS image sensors, optical components, satellite payloads, and precision instruments.

Product overview

CIOMP (Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics) is a research institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences that has spun off over 90 technology enterprises. The portfolio includes CMOS image sensors (Gpixel), diode-pumped lasers (CNI), LED displays (Cedar Electronics), optical encoders (Yuheng Optics), optical thin films and spectrometers (ChenSpectrum), silicon carbide ceramics (KingCera), precision optical components (DaQi Optics), advanced optical systems (Smart Optics), satellite remote sensing (Chang Guang Satellite), optical lenses (Fangyuan), and infrared imaging (Aoli Infrared). CIOMP also conducts fundamental research in optics, applied optics, optical engineering, and precision machinery through its 18 research departments including national key laboratories. The institute is known as China's 'cradle of optics' and maintains international academic exchange programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Light Publishing Group: Publishing arm of CIOMP that co-publishes the journal Light: Science & Applications with Nature Publishing Group.
• Rose in Science (RISE)
• Light People

Products and services

• Changguang Smart Optics Technology Co., Ltd. A high-tech enterprise focused on micro optics, metal-based optics, and guiding optics, providing advanced optical systems for life science imaging, integrated circuit detection, and remote sensing applications.
• Changguang DaQi Technology Co., Ltd. A precision optical MRF (Magnetorheological Finishing) equipment manufacturer and ultra-precision optical component service provider using PMD, CCOS, and MRF technologies.
• Changguang ChenSpectrum Technology Co., Ltd. Specializes in optical thin films and spectrometers, providing high-precision optical coatings and photoelectric instruments for aerospace, food hygiene, precision agriculture, and scientific research.
• Changguang KingCera Composites Co., Ltd. Specializes in R&D and production of high-performance silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics and composites used in photoelectric equipment, precise instruments, high-speed railway equipment, and new energy vehicles.
• Changchun New Industries Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. (CNI) The largest manufacturer and supplier of diode-pumped all-solid-state lasers (DPSSL) in China, offering lasers, laser systems, optical measuring equipment, laser processing equipment, machine vision, and photoelectric detection equipment.
• Up Optotech Co., Ltd. A high-tech enterprise specializing in photoelectric measurement and control equipment, optical materials, TV goniometers, antenna pedestals, optical/mechanical subsystems for aviation cameras, and medical testing instruments.
• Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. (CGSTL) The first commercial remote sensing satellite company in China, operating the Jilin-1 satellite constellation with 138 high-performance optical remote sensing satellites for Earth observation and imaging services.
• Gpixel Co., Ltd. A design house specializing in high-end CMOS image sensors for industrial, medical, and scientific applications, offering sensors with extremely high resolution, very low noise, high dynamic range, and ultra-high speed capabilities.
• Changchun Yuheng Optics Co., Ltd. A manufacturer specializing in optical-electricity encoders, optical instruments, and electromechanical devices, recognized as one of the most competitive encoder manufacturers in China.
• Cedar Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. A world-leading manufacturer of COB LED displays and lighting solutions, known for developing the world's first COB LED display and offering Flip-chip COB LED displays and LED street lighting products.
• Fangyuan Opto-Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. China's leading provider of optical lenses, fingerprint and palm identification devices, and fine optoelectronic devices, with advanced capabilities in biological recognition technology.
• Changchun Aoli Infrared Co., Ltd. A new high-tech company specializing in developing, manufacturing, and selling photoelectronic instruments including infrared imagers, laser illuminators, infrared optical lenses, and vehicle imaging equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Light journal impact factor 19.4, ranking top 3 internationally in optics for 9 consecutive years, over 1,600 papers published and 80,000+ citations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

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

• Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of SciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Jointly organized the International Nano-Optoelectronics Workshop (iNOW 2025) with CIOMP and Wroclaw University of Science and Technology. Both CAS and PAS are ANSO members. Polish institute actively engaged in conference organization and local coordination, delivering high-level invited presentations and chairing thematic sessions.
• Wroclaw University of Science and TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-organized the International Nano-Optoelectronics Workshop (iNOW 2025) in Wroclaw, Poland together with CIOMP and Polish Academy of Sciences. Both are ANSO member institutions. Workshop attracted top global scientists from over 20 countries discussing semiconductor quantum dots, photonic integration, metasurface optics, and quantum light sources.
• National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CIOMP co-hosted the 2025 CAS-MHESI Symposium on Astronomy, Space Science and Advanced Instrumentation with NARIT and Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education. Over 80 experts from 20+ Chinese and Thai organizations attended. The symposium focused on deep space exploration, Earth observation, and advanced optical manufacturing, serving as key activity for 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations.
• Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ANSO sponsored the International Nano-Optoelectronics Workshop (iNOW 2025) organized by CIOMP together with Polish Academy of Sciences and Wroclaw University of Science and Technology. Both CAS and PAS are ANSO members.
• UNESCO International Day of Light Organizing CommitteemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023UNESCO International Day of Light Organizing Committee jointly organized Light Conference Week 2023 with CIOMP, Jilin Provincial Government, Changchun Municipal Government, Chinese Optical Society, IEEE Photonics Society, and China Science Daily. The conference attracted nearly 500 experts from 13 countries.
• Chinese Optical Society (COS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023COS co-organizes major conferences including Light Conference Week 2023 with CIOMP. CIOMP is considered the 'cradle of optics' in China and plays a foundational role in establishing the Chinese optical society and optical research institutions.
• Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Annual CIOMP-DOC Optics and Optical Engineering International Conference jointly organized by CIOMP and TU Delft (Netherlands). Prof. H.P. Urbach (former chairman of European Optical Society) has visited CIOMP multiple times since 2015 as international visiting scientist. Both sides conduct joint research exchanges and cooperate on optical lithography and metrology. First conference held in 2021, now an annual event.
• Dutch Optics Centre (DOC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021DOC co-organizes the annual CIOMP-DOC Optics and Optical Engineering International Conference with CIOMP and TU Delft. The conference focuses on super-resolution microscopy, computational imaging, advanced optical sensors, optical lithography, metrology, and space optics. The partnership has a history dating back to 2015.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Annual UPM (Ultra Precision Manufacturing) Workshop alternating between Changchun (CIOMP, odd years) and Jena, Germany (Fraunhofer IOF, even years). Since 2017, CIOMP hosts the workshop in China in odd-numbered years. The workshop focuses on ultra-precision optical machining and brings together over 100 Chinese and international experts. UPM Workshop was initially launched in Germany in 2004.
• China-Israel Cooperative Scientific Research (Prof. Wu and Prof. Shaked Groups)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Cooperative research between CIOMP Prof. Wu's group (microfiber biosensors) and Israel Prof. Shaked's group (photothermal interferometric phase microscopy). Joint project developed novel microfiber biosensor technology for cancer biomarker detection using gold nanoparticle amplified detection and photothermal phase imaging.
• University of RochestermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Co-sponsor of the Light Conference series with CIOMP since 2015 (International Year of Light). University of Rochester is one of the three most respected optical education and research centers in the US. Nobel laureates Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland have completed major works there. Jointly organizes annual Light Conference events.
• Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015CIOMP actively participates in TMT project, developing the largest flat-telescope mirror (3.5m x 2.5m), first large precise steerable tertiary mirror, most efficient tertiary mirror switching mechanism, and smoothest tracking mechanism for astronomical objects.
• Nature Publishing Group (NPG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Co-publishes the journal Light: Science & Applications with CIOMP. The journal achieved impact factor of 19.4 in 2023, ranking top 3 in optics internationally for nine consecutive years, with over 1,600 papers published and 80,000+ citations. CIOMP's Light Publishing Group manages journal operations. Also publishes Light: Advanced Manufacturing journal.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/changchun-institute-of-optics-fine-mechanics-and-physics-cas

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics