Fraunhofer IST at the OptecNet Annual Conference 2026
At the exhibition accompanying the 2026 OptecNet Annual Conference, the Fraunhofer Institute for Thin Film and Surface Technology IST will showcase new solutions for compact hyperspectral imaging systems that enable complex spectral analyses in a very small space.
To this end, Fraunhofer IST is developing high-precision interference filters using state-of-the-art sputtering technologies. This enables the production of both broadband linearly variable filters and pixel-precise structured filter designs for specific wavelength ranges—from the visible spectrum to the near-infrared range. The precision optical coatings are fabricated on the EOSS (Enhanced Optical Sputtering System) sputtering platform developed at Fraunhofer IST. The technology enables particularly stable and homogeneous coating processes and forms the basis for high-precision, industrially scalable filter solutions. This enables spectral selection directly on the camera chip without additional external filter units or complex optical setups.
Filter-on-Chip for Compact Spectral Analysis
The compact design offers advantages wherever mobile or integrated sensor systems are required. Applications today already range from environmental and pollutant analysis to the assessment of plant conditions in agriculture and industrial quality assurance. Looking ahead, these technologies are also suitable for satellite-based remote sensing, climate research, and extensive monitoring tasks. The annual conference of OptecNet Deutschland e.V. is one of the most important industry gatherings in the German photonics and optics industry. Representatives from industry, research, politics, and education gather there to discuss current developments and technology trends in photonics—including smart manufacturing, medicine, and life sciences, as well as sustainability and resource efficiency. In 2026, the event will also mark a special anniversary: 25 years of OptecNet. More than 200 participants from industry and research are expected to attend.
Contact details and information on the companies and institutions presented here can be found in our interactive surface technology industry directory.