Ferdinand-Braun-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH)

What Ferdinand-Braun-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH) does

Ferdinand-Braun-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH) is an application-oriented non-profit research institute headquartered in Berlin, Germany, legally structured as a gGmbH under the Leibniz Association (Leibniz-Gemeinschaft). It researches and develops electronic and optical components, modules, and systems based on III-V compound semiconductors — notably GaAs, GaN, InP, AlN, and Ga2O3 — serving space/satellite (primary), medical and life sciences, industrial manufacturing, and electronics/semiconductor customers. The institute operates 4,000 m² of cleanroom and laboratory facilities, holds 295 patents, runs 131 active projects, and employs 400 staff from 30 countries.

FBH's technology stack spans the full III-V value chain — epitaxial growth (MOCVD), wafer processing, chip design, mounting and assembly, and module/system integration — delivering discrete devices (GaAs and GaN diode lasers, UVB/UVC LEDs, UV photodetectors, DBR-equipped devices), packaged modules (high-brightness, frequency-stabilized, tunable, pulsed, miniaturized, and space-qualified pump lasers; quantum light modules), and integrated systems (kW-class pump modules, Raman measurement systems, UV LED irradiation systems). It complements hardware with prototype engineering, simulation and design, epitaxial layer services, wafer processing, laser facet passivation, and analytics services. Recent research milestones include a SUPER excitation protocol for tin-vacancy centers in diamond, GaN-based full-duplex RF front-end modules, and proprietary laser facet passivation for high-power red ridge waveguide lasers.

The institute's revenue model combines three streams: state-funded research projects via Leibniz Association and federal/state programs, industrial contracts for custom prototype and module development, and licensing/IP royalties from its patent portfolio. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct: B2B engagement with industrial partners, technology licensing, spin-off commercialization (12 active spin-offs), and prototype engineering services. Marketing is conducted through scientific publications, annual reports, press releases, and conferences rather than commercial channels.

Name

Ferdinand-Braun-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH)

Legal name

Ferdinand-Braun-Institut gGmbH, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik

Website

https://fbh-berlin.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) is a Berlin-based Leibniz gGmbH research institute that develops III-V compound semiconductor components, modules, and systems for photonics, quantum technology, and III-V electronics, serving space, medical, industrial, and semiconductor customers via state funding, industrial contracts, and licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Compound Semiconductor Research & Devices

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

RF & Compound Semiconductor Foundries (GaAs/GaN/SiGe) (HDAHACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wide-Bandgap Power Devices (SiC/GaN Discretes) (HDAHAHAG), Power Modules (IGBT/MOSFET/SiC/GaN Modules) (HDAHAHAH)

Keywords

• Compound semiconductors
• III-V electronics
• Diode laser modules
• Quantum photonic components
• GaN power electronics

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. State-Funded Research Projects: FBH receives government funding through the Leibniz Association and federal/state research programs for fundamental and applied research projects
2. Industrial Contracts: Direct contracts with industrial partners for custom component development, prototype engineering, and technology transfer services
3. Licensing and IP: Revenue generated from patents and technology licensing to industry partners

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FBH is an application-oriented research institute that develops and fabricates electronic and optical components, modules, and systems based on compound semiconductors (III-V materials such as GaAs, GaN, InP, AlN, and Ga2O3). Its offerings span discrete semiconductor devices (diode lasers, UV-LEDs, UV photodetectors), packaged laser and LED modules, integrated laser/UV-LED systems, and custom prototype engineering, epitaxy, wafer processing, and design services for industrial and research partners.

Product overview

FBH is a research institute developing compound semiconductor-based electronic and optical components, modules, and systems. The product portfolio comprises discrete semiconductor devices (GaAs diode lasers, GaN diode lasers, UV-LEDs, UV photodetectors, DBR-equipped devices) sold as chips/components; packaged diode laser and UV-LED modules (high-brightness, high-power, frequency-stabilized, tunable, pulsed, quantum light, STED, miniaturized, pump lasers for space); and integrated laser/LED systems (kW-class pump modules, Raman measurement systems, UV irradiation systems). These are complemented by prototype development and engineering services including chip/module design, epitaxial layer services, wafer processing, laser facet passivation, and materials analytics. FBH does not offer a single unified software platform but rather a modular hardware and services portfolio spanning photonics, quantum technologies, and III-V electronics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GaAs Diode Lasers

Quantifiable outcome

• 295 patents in portfolio covering core technology areas
• +2 more outcomes

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

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Leibniz AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBH is a member of the Leibniz Association (Leibniz-Gemeinschaft), a network of non-university research institutions in Germany. This affiliation provides access to federal and state funding, promotes inter-institutional collaboration, and enhances research visibility across Germany's scientific community.
• Research Fab Microelectronics GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration within the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) initiative, which provides access to advanced microelectronics fabrication capabilities across multiple German research institutions.
• APECS Pilot LinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean chiplet innovation initiative (APECS) where FBH contributes compound semiconductor expertise for heterogeneous integration and chiplet technologies supporting the European semiconductor ecosystem.
• iCampusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation campus partnership focused on technology transfer and startup ecosystem development in Berlin.
• Advanced UV for Life e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association focused on UV LED technology applications for life sciences including sterilization, medical treatments, and water purification.
• Technische Universität BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with TU Berlin for joint research, academic teaching, and training of next-generation researchers in compound semiconductor technologies.
• Quantum Technologies in BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Berlin's quantum technology ecosystem including Quantum Future Academy and Innovation Forum to advance quantum computing, sensing, and communication technologies.
• Leibniz Health TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance within Leibniz Association focused on health technology applications including medical sensors, quantum sensing, and UV-based disinfection technologies.
• Leibniz Lab Pandemic PreparednessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch initiative focused on pandemic preparedness technologies including UV disinfection systems and advanced sensing capabilities.
• High Technology Education & Training NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork focused on workforce development and advanced technical training for the microelectronics and photonics industries.
• Microtec AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership aimed at securing skilled workforce for microelectronics through specialized education and training programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IHP – Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics: Sister Leibniz institute working on silicon germanium and III-V semiconductor technologies for RF and high-frequency applications. Shares FBH's Leibniz Association affiliation and German public research funding model.
• CSEM (Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique): Swiss applied research organization with capabilities in photonics, quantum technologies, and III-V semiconductor devices. Comparable mission and customer-collaboration model with European industrial partners.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid-State Physics (IAF): German applied research institute focused on compound semiconductor (GaAs, GaN, InP) devices and circuits for RF, power electronics, and photonics. Directly comparable in scope, technology focus, and public-research mission to FBH.
• Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI): Berlin-based Fraunhofer institute working on photonic components, fiber communications, and high-frequency electronics. Comparable technology areas (laser diodes, photonic integration, wireless) and similar German public research mandate.
• imec: Belgian inter-university microelectronics research center with deep compound semiconductor process capabilities and large-scale cleanroom facilities. Comparable R&D scope and spin-off/commercialization model across III-V devices.
• CEA-Leti: French public research institute focused on micro/nanotechnologies including photonics, compound semiconductors, and quantum devices. Operates similar technology transfer and industrial collaboration model with European semiconductor ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• TRUMPF: German industrial laser and machine tool company producing high-power diode lasers and laser systems. Comparable in high-power diode laser product lines targeted at industrial material processing applications.
• Coherent Corp: Global compound semiconductor and laser systems company (formerly II-VI) producing GaAs and GaN-based diode lasers for industrial, medical, and aerospace markets. Competes with FBH-developed photonic technologies at commercial scale.
• IQE plc: UK-based compound semiconductor wafer foundry supplying GaAs, InP, and GaN epiwafers to RF, photonics, and power electronics customers. Overlaps with FBH's epitaxial layer services and III-V materials expertise.
• Lumentum: US-headquartered photonics and compound semiconductor company producing diode lasers for industrial, 3D sensing, and telecom applications. Competes with FBH laser diode products across multiple wavelengths.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ferdinand-braun-institut-f-r-h-chstfrequenztechnik-fbh-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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