Light at the Service of Society (Programme of Strategy AV 21)

Sponsor: Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Coordinator: Ing. Tomáš Mocek, Ph.D. (Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences)

Participating CAS Institutes: Institute of Physics, Institute of Thermomechanics, Institute of Plasma Physics, Institute of Scientific Instruments, Institute of Photonics and Electronics, Institute of Physics of Materials

Principal investigator at IPE: Pavel Honzátko, Ph.D.   

Cooperating partners: Meopta – optika, s. r. o., Crytur, a. s., IQ Structures, s. r. o., ČZ, a. s., Škoda, a. s., SQS Vláknová optika, a. s., Rigaku Innovative Technologies Europe, s. r. o., Gigaphoton Inc., CARDAM, s. r. o.

From: 2017

More information at CAS web.


The programme is focused on the development of existing and progressive photonics technologies in which the Czech Republic can be soon world leading. An example of these technologies is „additive manufacturing“, where laser technologies are a base for the rapidly-evolving technologies of 3D printing, medical diagnostic methods including invasive and non-invasive methods of treatment or technology of production and preservation of optical components. As lasers are a fundamental component of these technologies, the programme also develops these sources of high intensity radiation.

The programme will include social experts on the history of natural and exact sciences, who will search and study the historical bases of successfully developed optical, photonic, plasma and related fields. Knowing the origin and development of supporting research directions guides the appropriate government authorities’ work on the concepts of planning, management and promotion of scientific and technological activities in the Czech Republic.

The main goals of the program include support for industry-wide use of intense sources of radiation as effective tools for research, development and application of new technologies, development of collaborative applied research, strengthening synergies between the CAS institutes and creating a feedback between the research community and the public represented by education, industry and government.

IPE carries out fundamental and applied research in the scientific fields of photonics, optoelectronics and electronics. In these fields, IPE generates new knowledge and develops new technologies.

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