Prof. Sinzinger: Bright spots for the future of optics and photonics!

Prof. Sinzinger: Bright spots for the future of optics and photonics!

On September 5, 2025, Professor Stefan Sinzinger from the Technical University of Ilmenau was appointed a Fellow of the European Optical Society (EOS). This award recognizes his pioneering contributions to optics and photonics as well as the outstanding work of his team at the university. The honor took place as part of EOSAM 2025, a major annual meeting attended by around 450 participants from more than 30 countries to discuss current developments and research results in the field of optical technologies. Loud TU Ilmenau The aim of this appointment is to make innovative contributions to optics and to inspire young scientists.

Professor Sinzinger is considered one of Europe's leading experts in optical system integration and micro-optics. With a scientific career spanning over thirty years, he has made significant advances in light control and processing. His important work includes the development of algorithms for calculating holograms that are used in medicine, in displays and in measurement systems. His developments of high-precision optical interconnects, which enable faster and more efficient data transmission in computers and sensor systems, are also particularly important.

Optical interconnects and their importance

The optical interconnects developed by Professor Sinzinger are based on the transmission of signals using light and offer many advantages compared to conventional metallic interconnects. The latter, which use copper wires, suffer from high resistance and capacitance, which significantly limits performance with reduced dimensions. This is also highlighted as a central problem in the semiconductor industry in the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS). In contrast, optical solutions offer improved scalability and energy efficiency as well as independence of performance from distance. Loud Wikipedia Optical interconnects also have advantages such as more predictable timing mechanisms and higher interconnect density, making them a promising solution for future integrated circuit applications.

However, there are challenges to implementing optical interconnects in silicon CMOS chips. Technical issues such as photodetector integration and polarization control must be overcome to fully exploit the benefits of these technologies.

The role of photonics in industry

Modern optical technologies, also known as photonics, are considered “enabling technologies” and form the basis for a variety of technological developments. The German photonics industry invests around 10 percent of its sales in research and development every year, which is more than twice as much as the average of other industrial companies in Germany. The areas of application are diverse and range from production technology to image processing, medical technology and energy technology. Loud Federal Ministry of Economics Photonics plays a crucial role in future fields such as mobility, Industry 4.0 and networked cities.

The export-oriented industry achieves an export quota of almost 70 percent and has positioned itself strongly on the international stage thanks to its innovative strength and product quality. Professor Sinzinger's work and developments in optical technology make a significant contribution to the industry's competitiveness and underline the importance of lighting technologies for the future.