The Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light covers a wide range of research, including laser spectroscopy, quantum optics, nonlinear optics, nanophotonics, photonic crystal fibers, integrated optics, optomechanics, laser interferometry, quantum technologies, biophysics and – in collaboration with the Max Planck Zentrum für Physik und Medizin – the connections between physics and medicine. The MPL was founded in January 2009 and is one of over 80 institutes of the Max Planck Society that conduct basic research in the natural, biological, human and social sciences in the service of the general public.

Accuracy Record set: Research Group of Dr. Hanieh Fattahi awarded Helmholtz Prize

The 2026 Helmholtz Prize for outstanding achievements in the field of precision measurement has been awarded to, among others, Dr. Hanieh Fattahi and her research group “Femtosecond Fieldoscopy”. The award recognizes their contribution to the development of femtosecond fieldoscopy, a new measurement technique for the high-precision analyzation of optical electric fields under ambient conditions.

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How Do You Feel – Symposium in Memory of Jochen Guck

This symposium brings together colleagues and collaborators from across the field of cell physics to exchange ideas on how physical principles govern cellular organization, dynamics, and function – and to honor the memory and lasting impact of the late Prof. Dr. Jochen Guck.

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A Network for Artificial Intelligence: ELLIS Unit Franconia established

AI is rapidly affecting all areas of science and technology. It is crucial that Europe is able to play an important role in this area, and this is what ELLIS, the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems, set out to foster. Now the ELLIS Unit Franconia has been newly established – with Prof. Florian Marquardt, Managing Director at MPL, serving as the lead project partner.

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Prof. Florian Marquardt writing on a whiteboard, next to the ELLIS Unit Franconia logo.

When Cells Reveal Their Inner Workings

Every human cell is surrounded by a sugar coating called the glycocalyx, which interacts with its environment and reflects internal cell states. Using high-resolution microscopy, scientists at MPL have mapped these sugar structures and correlated their spatial arrangement to specific physiological cell states — potentially opening new diagnostic avenues, such as tumor detection.

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Fluorescence microscope image of cells with irregular edges, labeled in green, red, and blue/violet against a black background. / Fluoreszenzmikroskopische Aufnahme von Zellen mit unregelmäßigen Rändern, markiert in grün, rot und blau/violett auf schwarzem Hintergrund.

Symposium Celebrating the 75th Birthday of Professor Gerd Leuchs

To mark the 75th (+1) birthday of Professor Gerd Leuchs, founding director of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Head of the Leuchs Emeritus Group, a scientific symposium will be held from June 25 to 26, 2026.

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Hanieh Fattahi writing on a blackboard while smiling at the camera.

Accuracy Record set: Research Group of Dr. Hanieh Fattahi awarded Helmholtz Prize

The 2026 Helmholtz Prize for outstanding achievements in the field of precision measurement has been awarded to, among others, Dr. Hanieh Fattahi and her research group “Femtosecond Fieldoscopy” at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL). The award recognizes their contribution to…

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Dr. Ralf Keding inspects a calcium hydroxide honeycomb monolith filter unit mounted in a rack within a laboratory facility. He is wearing a cleanroom suit, hairnet, safety glasses, and gloves. Large ventilation ducts are visible in the background.

More Efficient and Safer: New Method for Exhaust Air Purification of Hydrofluoric Acid Contaminations

Hydrofluoric acid is indispensable in many laboratories and industries – yet its extreme toxicity poses major challenges for users. Existing exhaust air treatment methods are complex and costly to perform. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) have now presented a…

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Prof. Florian Marquardt writing on a whiteboard, next to the ELLIS Unit Franconia logo.

A Network for Artificial Intelligence: ELLIS Unit Franconia established

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly affecting all areas of science and technology. It is crucial that Europe is able to play an important role in this area, and this is what ELLIS, the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems, set out to foster when it was founded in 2018. Now the…

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Managing Director
Prof. Florian Marquardt


Please contact:
Anna Gesine Murphy (PA)
Email: marquardt-office@mpl.mpg.de
Phone: +49 9131 7133 401

 

Head of Infrastructure
Dr. Dorothe Burggraf

Please contact:
Lisa Spann (PA)
Email: lisa.spann@mpl.mpg.de
Phone: +49 9131 7133 801

MPL Research Centers and Schools

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