Program - When Photonics meets AI

The Photonics Days 2026 -
important information

 

  • The Photonics Day Jena 2026 will take place on September 15, 2026 as an on-site event held in English.

The times given are all Central European Time (CEST; UTC +2:00 hours) and 24h format.

 

This year's Photonics Day will take place in parallel with other events organized by Fraunhofer IOF and its partners, that participants from other events will attend program items of the Photonics Day.

Agenda 2026

TIME PROGRAM
8:00 A.M. - 9:30 A.M. Arrival & Registration at Photonics Day 2026

FOYER Fraunhofer IOF
9:30 A.M. - 9:45 A.M. Welcoming Remarks by Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann & representative of Friedrich-Schiller University Jena

ZEISS Hall, Fraunhofer IOF
9:45 A.M. - 11:45 A.M. Career & Industry Brunch
On-site networking brunch with hiring companies in the field of photonics

ZEISS Hall, Fraunhofer IOF
11:45 A.M. - 12:00 A.M. CHANGE OF ROOMS
12:00 P.M. - 12:30 P.M. Photonics4Future Lecture:
"Applications of Gen-AI in quantum photonics, current developments and examples from our laboratories"
Markus Leipe (Fraunhofer IOF/FSU Jena/MPSP PhD Candidate)

More information

Auditorium, Abbe Center of Photonics
12:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. Labtour
Guided tour of the Fraunhofer IOF in small groups

Fraunhofer IOF
Workshop "AI as a Scientific Partner in Photonics and Quantum Science"
Dr. Xuemei Gu (FSU Jena)
mandatory registration here

More information

Seminar Room 1, Abbe Center of Photonics
2:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. COFFEE BREAK
3:00 P.M. - 3:45 P.M. Idea Pitches of "Cluster of Excellence in Photonics"
&
subsequent Award Ceremony"


Auditorium, Abbe Center of Photonics
3:45 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. Award ceremony for the "Applied Photonics Award 2026"

Auditorium, Abbe Center of Photonics
4:30 P.M. - 4:45 P.M. COFFEE BREAK
4:45 P.M. - 5:45 P.M. Keynote Lecture & Talk:
"TBA"
requested Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Dieter Schotten / Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau

Auditorium, Abbe Center of Photonics
5:45 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. CHANGE OF ROOMS
6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Evening Program
Get Together "Photonics Day" and "Jenaer Optikgespräche"
in cooperation with "Phortify"

Fraunhofer IOF

Further Information on Program 2026

© Fraunhofer IOF
Markus Leipe, Fraunhofer IOF

Lecture Photonics4Future

 

Title: "Photons and Prompts: Gen-AI in the Quantum Photonics Lab", Markus Leipe (Fraunhofer IOF / FSU Jena / PhD Candidate MPSP)

Abstract:

TBA

About:

Markus Leipe is a PhD student at Fraunhofer IOF, the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and the Max Planck School of Photonics. He previously studied Physics at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Technische Universiteit Delft (NL). In his research, he investigates novel quantum protocols and technical solutions for scaling satellite-based quantum communication towards intercontinental distances. Like many others, he caught the AI bug in 2022, and has been investigating the uses of modern AI in his research field ever since, as well as leading internal training on AI skills. In his free time, he enjoys playing the Cello, long-distance running, and cooking.


Workshop

 

AI as a Scientific Partner in Photonics and Quantum Sciences

Artificial intelligence is reshaping scientific discovery across disciplines, from protein folding and materials design to theorem proving. These advances suggest a shift in how we use AI in research, moving beyond a computational tool toward a collaborator in scientific exploration. In this workshop, we will explore how AI can help researchers think through questions in photonics and quantum science and turn them into concrete experimental ideas. After a short introduction, we will work through practical examples, learn how AI can help develop research ideas and design experiments, and discuss what it takes to use AI responsibly as a reliable research partner in scientific discovery.

About

Dr. Xuemei Gu is a Junior Research Group Leader at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, where she leads the AI Quantum Lab. Her research explores how artificial intelligence can accelerate discovery and experiment design in quantum science, and how ideas from physics can inspire new forms of machine intelligence.

Additional Information

Maximum number of participants: ~25 Participants ideally bring their own laptops. I will send setup instructions before the event and will share any further practical details once the workshop is finalised.

© Fraunhofer IOF
Workshop Photonics Days 2023

Keynote

 

Title: "TBA"
requested Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Dieter Schotten / Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau

Abstract:

TBA