Optical technologies create growth and employment

By means of research funding under the High-Tech Strategy, optical technologies have become one of the outstanding fields of German excellence worldwide. Optical technologies "Made in Germany" are a dominant feature of many industries - from electronics to mechanical engineering to medicine.

Coherent light - the laser - has become an important precision tool, above all for industrial production, communication technology and medicine. But also incoherent light (lamps, lights, LED, photovoltaics) is successfully used by means of German technology. German companies and research institutions are active in these markets worldwide. Optical technologies are key technologies for the innovation alliances of the High-Tech Strategy, such as "Organic Light-Emitting Diodes" (OLED 2015), "Organic Photovoltaics" (OPV) and "Molecular Imaging". They consistently rely on the pooling of existing strengths for new markets.

With about 100,000 employees in Germany, optical technologies are an impressive industry. All in all, the companies invest about 1.6 billion euros each year in research and development (R&D). The R&D share of turnover is about 9.7 percent. This field of technology is already influencing about 16 percent of all jobs in the manufacturing industry.

Over the past 20 years, Germany has developed into a world market leader in many fields of laser technology. Germany accounts for 40 percent of the world market and thus for a share of 2.5 billion euros for high-performance laser technology for materials processing. It holds a market share of 12 percent of the light of the future - of LEDs. Germany also holds the record for the efficiency of LEDs with 150 lumen/watt (lm/W). Particularly great growth is predicted for the new light, i.e. LED and OLED.

• Optical Technologies - With Light into the Future

  Optical technologies stand for growth and economic success "made in Germany". This means competitiveness, economic growth and employment in Germany. The BMBF supports optical technologies through comprehensive funding measures. A branch of high technology has developed around the different forms of use, which has brought about many innovations. Germany is among the world leaders in many areas of application.
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• Fascinating Light - Innovation Needs People

  What is reflection? How does a laser work and how can laser pulses be formed? The BMBF education initiative "FaszinationLicht" is to teach young people the basics of optical technologies in a playful way. On the Internet and at a touring exhibition, virtual and real experiments can be conducted in the field of optics. The initiative thus draws the attention of young people to an important future-oriented field with many attractive career opportunities. Strategic cooperation with partners in the education sector furthermore supports targeted initial and continuing training which is in line with the demands of companies and staff.
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