The Photonics Cluster

Optical technologies from Berlin-Brandenburg have a long tradition whose roots date back to the 19th century and still today represent an important economic sector in the region. Microsystems technology, on the other hand, is a relatively young branch of industry that symbolises the demands global competition places on innovative products: smaller, more efficient and less expensive. Berlin-Brandenburg combines tradition and modernity in the Optics Cluster with optical technologies and microsystems technology, thus creating the basis for the sustainable development of regional companies and the creation of new jobs in the industry and its numerous fields of application.

The future is made of light: Photonics, meaning the scientific and economic use of light, and microsystems technology, which is closely linked to photonics, are among the most important key technologies of digitisation. 

With their diverse range of competencies, the numerous companies and research institutions make the Berlin-Brandenburg region one of the world's leading industry locations. As interfaces between different technologies, they often form the basis for innovative products and services, for example in medicine or communications technology. In order to further advance these developments, six areas of activity were identified in the cluster.

• Biomedical optics and ophthalmic optics
• Laser technology
• Lighting technology
• Microsystems technology
• Optical analytics
• Photonics for communication and sensor technology