Group picture Quantum Ideas Factory 2026
Quantum Ideas Factory 2026: A Weekend of Ideas and Collaboration in Quantum Science
40 students from across Europe gathered in Jena for the Quantum Ideas Factory 2026, a hands-on hackathon hosted by the Abbe Center of Photonics.
Group picture Quantum Ideas Factory 2026
Image: Ramona Balmelli

Abbe School of Photonics

  • Master's degree programs

    Explore our master's degree programs, scopes, course schedules, application process and scholarship offerings. Enrolled ASP students will find important information for each semester.

    Gruppenbild Photonics 2022
    Image: ASP

  • Doctoral/PhD program

    The Abbe School of Photonics doctoral program offers complementary educational modules during your doctoral studies, including additional skills training, guest lectures and specialization courses.

    Experimental setup for high harmonics generation.
    Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

  • Scholarships available!

    Our EU-funded master’s scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence. They are granted for 12 months, covering one year of the two-year master’s programme, and are adjusted to the cost of living in Jena.

    Postdoc Dr. Bayarjagal "Bayra" Narantsatsralt in the Nano and Quantum Lab.
    Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)

  • At a Glance

    The Abbe School of Photonics (ASP) offers a full-scale academic education in optics, photonics and quantum technology at one of the oldest and most reputable universities in Germany.

    Photonics Laboratory
    Image: MPSP/FSU Jena

  • Events

    ASP and their partners are organizing a thrilling and inspiring program throughout the whole year, including international conferences and workshops, keynote lectures, and research group seminars.

    Laser illumination of the sky over Jena during the Long Night of Sciences 2024.
    Image: Jenoptik AG

  • Faculty

    All faculty members involved in teaching at our school, both in the Master's degree and doctoral program.

    Prof. Gerhard Paulus
    Image: Fsu Jena

  • MSc Photonics Alumni

    Since 2009, more than 500 students successfully graduated in the Photonics Master's programme at ASP.

    Alumni celecbration of the Faculty in 2019.
    Image: Jan Bernert (IAP Jena)

Upcoming events at ASP and partners

  3. ‘Women in Academia’ evening talk

    18 c.t. ·
    • Workshop

    Panel discussion as part of the evening talks organised by the Honours Programme

    • presence
    • public
    • Subject to registration
    Jun.-Prof. Dr. Sarah Jäger, Jun.-Prof. Dr. Amrei Bahr, Lisa Niendorf, Prof. Dr. Isabelle Staude
    Image: Fotozentrum Uni Jena (2x), Susanne Kurz, Frederik A.

  4. 10th EC2U Forum in Turku

    —
    • Conference
    • Excursion

    Annual EC2U Forum in Turku, from 18 to 21 May 2026

    • presence
    • Subject to registration
    Visual EC2U Forum Turku
    Image: University of Turku

  6. Academic life at the Collegium Jenense

    16 s.t. ·
    • Lecture

    Experience in the lecture how the Collegium Jenense, as the heart of the early university, shaped the life, teaching and celebrations of Jena's students and helped to shape the city's history.

    • presence
    • public
    Collegium Jenense
    Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
All events

Who we are

Holographic setup in the main physics lecture hall

Holographic setup in the main physics lecture hall

Picture: MPSP.

The Abbe School of Photonics (ASP) offers internationalized education programs with multidisciplinary coverage in the field of optics, photonics and quantum technology. Topics range from current scientific aspects to engineering with product applications possible in major economic sectors, such as information and communication technology, medicine and health, manufacturing, and energy consumption. Enrolled students are trained for positions in the technical industry or in the world of scientific research in higher academia. Our school is part of the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Students enrolled in our Master of Science in Photonics or Master of Science in Quantum Science & Technology programs are offered a distinguished education track culminating in a structured doctoral program (equivalent to Ph.D. level). Attractive scholarships are available for high-performance applicants. Likewise, students who are enrolled in a Master of Science in Physics can specialize in optics and photonics by choosing from among all elective modules offered by ASP.

What we do

Front facet of the ACP research building.

Front facet of the ACP research building.

Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

The Master's degree and doctoral programs are based on the profound experience in optics education which distinguishes the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. The university has established optics and photonics as one of its key profile fields in education and research. ASP's education programs are embedded in the modern research environment of the Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP). This interfaculty center of the FSU Jena maintains strong bonds with local research institutions, such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision EngineeringExternal link, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic TechnologyExternal link, and the Helmholtz Institute JenaExternal link, as well as with several prominent industrial partners.

Videos and Testimonials

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Apply now!

Seven good reasons for Jena

  • Jena is a student city

    External link

    20 % of Jena's citizens are students. They value the city’s modern infrastructure, its diverse student culture, parks and recreation areas, theaters, cinemas, shops, cafés, and restaurants!

    Campus by night
    Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
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Important quick links