Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light

What Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light does

The Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) is a publicly funded basic-research institute headquartered in Erlangen, Germany, founded in January 2009 and operating within the Max Planck Society. Its mandate is fundamental and applied photonics research, with active programs in laser spectroscopy, quantum optics, nonlinear optics, nanophotonics, photonic crystal fibers, integrated optics, optomechanics, laser interferometry, quantum technologies, biophysics, and specialty fiber fabrication. The institute is organized into three core divisions (Cell Physics, Theory, and Nano-Optics) plus multiple independent research groups, and operates in-house technology platforms including a glass facility for fiber drawing and cleanroom infrastructure for nanofabrication.

MPL's underlying technology stack combines experimental laser and optical-metrology systems, theoretical modeling, nanofabrication in cleanrooms, and in-house specialty-fiber drawing. Research outputs are disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, doctoral training (largely in conjunction with Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg), and collaborative projects with applied-research partners such as Fraunhofer ILT and the University of Ulm.

The institute does not sell commercial products and has no product-style pricing model. Its operating budget is funded primarily through the Max Planck Society's institutional budget (drawn from German federal and Bavarian state appropriations), with competitive overlays from the European Research Council (ERC) and joint grants with partner institutions. Its "customers" are the global scientific community, doctoral trainees, and—through technology transfer—industrial collaborators. The institute employed roughly 253 staff at the time of the input snapshot.

Name

Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light

Legal name

Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light

Website

https://mpl.mpg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light is a publicly funded photonics research institute in Erlangen, Germany, conducting fundamental research in quantum optics, nanophotonics, biophysics, and specialty fibers within the Max Planck Society and serving the global scientific community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fundamental Photonics Research Institute

NAICS

Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713), Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing (335921)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Quantum Materials, Qubits & Device Physics Research (HDAGAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quantum Sensing, Metrology & Imaging Research (HDAGAMAJ), Quantum Photonics & Quantum Imaging (Single-Photon, Lidar, Ghost Imaging) (HDAGAHAF), Photonic (Optical) QPU Systems (HDAGAAAD), Optoelectronic / Photonics Foundries (Silicon Photonics/LED/Laser) (HDAHACAG), Quantum Sensor Components & Subsystems (Lasers, Vacuum, Photonics, Diamond/NV, MEMS) (HDAGAHAM)

Keywords

• Fundamental photonics research
• Quantum optics research
• Photonic crystal fibers
• Nanophotonics research
• Biophysics research

Headquarters

HQ city

Erlangen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: Funded by the Max Planck Society, which is itself funded by the German federal and state governments. The institute conducts basic research in the service of the general public.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light conducts fundamental scientific research in photonics, quantum optics, nonlinear optics, nanophotonics, photonic crystal fibers, integrated optics, optomechanics, laser interferometry, quantum technologies, and biophysics across three divisions (Cell Physics, Theory, Nano-Optics) and numerous independent research groups. It operates two technology service units — a cleanroom Micro- & Nanostructuring facility and a Fibre Fabrication & Glass Studio capable of custom photonic crystal fiber and soft-glass manufacturing — and provides graduate and postdoctoral training via the Max Planck Graduate Program, IMPRS, and Max Planck School of Photonics.

Product overview

The Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light is a fundamental research institute offering no commercial products but providing research infrastructure services. Its technology units include Micro- & Nanostructuring (cleanroom and microfabrication) and Fibre Fabrication & Glass Studio (photonic crystal fibers, optical glass manufacturing, additive manufacturing). The institute conducts research across laser spectroscopy, quantum optics, nonlinear optics, nanophotonics, photonic crystal fibers, integrated optics, optomechanics, laser interferometry, quantum technologies, and biophysics through three main divisions (Cell Physics, Theory, Nano-Optics) and numerous independent research groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Micro- & Nanostructuring Technology Unit Cleanroom-based service unit providing lithography, focused ion beam (FIB) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), coating, dry etching, analysis equipment, and small laboratory equipment for micro- and nanostructuring research, available to internal and external research users.
• Fibre Fabrication & Glass Studio Technology unit offering photonic crystal fiber fabrication using stack-and-draw methods, soft-glass photonic crystal fibers, supercontinuum generation research, optical glass manufacturing (lead-silicate, tellurite, phosphate, germanate, ZBLAN, chalcogenide), inverse laser drilling of preforms, and additive manufacturing for fiber and preform production.
• Research Facilities and Equipment Access Access to advanced research equipment including fiber drawing towers for silica and soft-glass fibers, metal 3D printing (TRUMPF TruPrint1000 with 200W Yb-fiber laser), polymer FLM printing (Ultimaker 3 extended), glass characterization (UV/Vis/NIR/FTIR spectrometers, prism couplers), and cleanroom facilities.
• Max Planck Graduate Program / IMPRS Photonics Training Structured doctoral and postdoctoral training programs in photonics, quantum optics, and related fields, offered jointly across multiple Max Planck Institutes and partner universities including FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, with international research opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Founded in January 2009 as part of 80+ Max Planck Society institutes
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Max Planck-uOttawa CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration between Max Planck Society and University of Ottawa, focusing on advancing research at the intersection of physics and related fields.
• Max Planck Quantum AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of Max Planck institutes working together on quantum science and technologies research initiatives.
• Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated research center connecting physics and medicine, featuring multiple divisions and core facilities including In Vivo Model Systems, Microscopy, and Cell Culture.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration under the highly selective Fraunhofer-Max-Planck cooperation funding program to explore inverse laser drilling for preform fabrication with structures impossible through traditional methods.
• Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPL originated as a spin-off of FAU. Ongoing collaboration includes use of advanced equipment at FAU (DTA, DMA, photoluminescence and Raman spectrometers) and joint research groups. FAU provides teaching and joint supervision of students.
• University of UlmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on development of UV-guiding hollow-core fibers achieving 0.13 dB/m loss at 300 nm with excellent single-mode profile (M2 = 1.03).
• Second Fraunhofer Institute (unnamed)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration under Fraunhofer-Max-Planck cooperation program for inverse laser drilling research.
• Max Planck Graduate ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduate program offering structured doctoral education across multiple Max Planck Institutes and universities.
• International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStructured doctoral program providing comprehensive training and research opportunities for graduate students.
• Max Planck School of PhotonicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational school dedicated to photonics research and education across multiple German institutions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT): Aachen-based applied photonics research institute. MPL's documented Fraunhofer-Max-Planck cooperation partner on inverse laser drilling; comparable scale, overlapping laser/photonic fabrication expertise, but with a stronger applied/industrial translation mandate.
• Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ): Sister Max Planck institute in Garching focused on quantum optics, laser physics, and quantum information science. Directly comparable as a public German research lab with overlapping quantum-photonics research themes, similar funding model, and comparable headcount.
• Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies (IPHT): Jena-based Leibniz Institute conducting research in photonic technologies including fiber-based systems, biophotonics, and quantum sensing. Directly comparable as a German public research institute in photonics with similar headcount and funding profile.

Broad incumbents

• Thorlabs: Large US-based photonics equipment and components manufacturer offering fibers, lasers, and optomechanics. Broad incumbent supplying the commercial ecosystem around the same photonic crystal fiber and quantum optics research MPL conducts.
• NKT Photonics: Commercial global leader in photonic crystal fibers, supercontinuum sources, and ultrafast lasers. Broad incumbent that industrializes the same PCF and hollow-core fiber concepts MPL researches, providing the market translation path that MPL itself does not pursue.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Japanese photonics and optoelectronics manufacturer with deep involvement in single-photon detection, photomultipliers, and quantum optics instrumentation. Broad incumbent spanning components that underpin the quantum-photonics research MPL performs.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): US federal agency operating major quantum optics, laser metrology, and photonic sensing programs. Broad incumbent and the closest international analogue to MPL in mission scope (precision measurement, quantum sensing, fiber-based standards) and institutional scale.

Others

• Lumentum: Global photonics company commercializing lasers, photonic components, and optical modules for communications, sensing, and quantum applications. Broad incumbent commercializing quantum optics hardware concepts that MPL researches in non-commercial settings.
• University of Oxford - Department of Atomic and Laser Physics: Leading academic research group in atomic physics, laser spectroscopy, and quantum optics. Comparable in research scope to MPL's independent groups (e.g., Chekhova, Fattahi), serving as a UK peer institution and collaboration counterpart rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR): Large German Helmholtz research center with photonics, laser, and accelerator-driven research programs. Operates in a similar German public-research framework and pursues overlapping photonics and quantum research, though with a different geographic and application focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MPI_Light
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFA-P-cyYkgjWu7aWuKkCyA
• Facebookfacebook.com/PhysikDesLichts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/max-planck-institute-for-the-science-of-light
• Instagraminstagram.com/physik_des_lichts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light