Press Releases

Whether it’s sensor technology, data processing, or quantum technologies, integrated photonics lays the foundation for compact and high-performance systems. Optical components and functions can be integrated onto a single chip and combined with electronics and other technologies. The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS develops photonic devices and systems for this purpose. At the Industry Partner Day on August 20, 2026, Fraunhofer IPMS brought together representatives from research and industry to discuss current developments and future prospects in integrated photonics.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS is expanding its leadership team: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wenke Weinreich has been appointed the institute’s second director, effective immediately. In her new role, she will be working alongside Institute Director Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Schenk and guiding the institute’s strategic and scientific direction. At the same time, she will take on the professorship in Functionalized Microelectronics for Heterogeneous Systems at the Dresden University of Technology.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS), in collaboration with Heimann Sensor and the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW Dresden), is developing the technological foundation for a new generation of thermoelectric infrared sensor arrays. By integrating highly efficient thermoelectric materials into CMOS-compatible manufacturing technology for the first time, the project aims to create significantly more powerful sensors. The goal is to achieve a temperature resolution of less than 20 millikelvin with pixel sizes of less than 45 micrometers, which is an important step toward new applications in medicine, industry, mobility and security.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS is becoming a meeting point for international cutting-edge research in microelectronics: with the renowned International Conference on IC Design and Technology 2026 (ICICDT 2026), the institute is bringing leading experts from industry and academia to Dresden. For three days, Dresden will become an international hub for discussing the latest developments in integrated circuits.

Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS announces Q‑Dice, a high‑performance Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) that generates randomness based on quantum vacuum fluctuations. The system delivers true random numbers at bit rates exceeding 4 Gbit/s based on intrinsically random and uncontrollable quantum effects. Unlike existing approaches, Q-Dice does not rely on potentially vulnerable algorithms and enables significantly higher data rates, making it particularly well suited for security-critical applications. The quality of the generated randomness has been validated through established and internationally recognized testing frameworks, including BSI AIS 20/31 and the NIST SP 800-22 test suite.

Energy efficiency, faster processing and permanent data storage: In collaboration with GlobalFoundries, research scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS have developed a novel storage technology that meets exactly these requirements. The team has succeeded in integrating hafnium oxide-based ultra-fast ferroelectric FRAM memory into an existing industrial manufacturing technology. They have been selected to receive the Stifterverband Science Prize Forschung im Verbund (Joint Research) for their efforts.

The German consortium QuINSiDa has achieved a major step towards mobile quantum-secure communication. They demonstrated a one-of-a-kind free-space data transfer channel supporting, for the first time, LiFi and major quantum key distribution (QKD) implementations. Additionally, the system integrates key management (KMS), encryption, and monitoring, illustrating technological readiness. This architecture enables quantum-secure key delivery without relying on fiber or radio, opening new possibilities for high-security networks where flexible infrastructure is desirable.

Breakthrough in chip manufacturing: As part of the European APECS pilot line, researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS have developed a method that allows different chip components to be fused almost seamlessly into a single unit. By precisely embedding small chiplets into specially structured silicon pockets, Fraunhofer IPMS succeeded in combining the advantages of a compact single chip with the flexibility of modular systems for the first time. This achievement demonstrates the feasibility of quasi-monolithic integration (QMI) and bridges the gap between traditional chip packaging and cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing.

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS have developed an innovative 2K OLED microdisplay. They will present initial results at SID Display Week 2026 in Los Angeles, USA, from May 5–7, 2026, at Booth 1146.

Fraunhofer IPMS is introducing a new technology called Li-Fi Grathus®, which transmits data via light instead of cable or radio waves. The system delivers gigabit-speed performance and can send and receive data simultaneously. It operates reliably and with near-zero latency, even in environments where traditional wireless systems reach their limits. Thus, Li-Fi Grathus® enables flexible, reliable, and truly real-time industrial communication.