Ústav fotoniky a elektroniky AV ČR, v. v. i. | ÚFE

Optical Biosensors

We develop unique tools for detailed insight into the biomolecular world.

Fiber lasers and non-linear optics

Our research focuses on high-power fiber lasers and their applications in the materials industry, medicine and nonlinear optics.

Synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials

We create new semiconductor nanostructures and develop methods of nanomanipulation and nanofabrication.

Bioelectrodynamics

Research of electromagnetic field effect on organisms at the molecular level.

Nano Optics begins where optical microscopy ends.

In the Laboratory of the National Time and Frequency Standard we create the second and implement the national time scale UTC(TP).

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NEWS

Interesting news and current events

ÚFE Open Days 2026: Get a glimpse into the world of photonics, optical fibers, nanotechnology, and biosensors

5. October 2026

On Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, 2026, the Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Czech Academy of Sciences will open its laboratories ...

Markéta Bocková takes over as head of ÚFE on October 1

1. October 2026

Markéta Bocková, Ph.D., becomes the new director of the Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, effective October 1, 2026. She ...

New educational trail of the Czech Academy of Sciences officially opened: ÚFE demonstrates how optical fiber works

30. September 2026

On Friday, September 25, 2026, a new educational trail was officially opened on the campus of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague 8. The ...

Andrei Borodkin won second place for best poster at the CPSOC 2026 conference

24. September 2026

Andrei Borodkin, a member of the Fiber lasers and non-linear optics research team, took second place in the competition for the best poster at the ...

RESEARCH TEAMS

Research in photonics, optoelectronics and electronics

Optical Biosensors

The research team develops unique tools that provide a detailed insight into the biomolecular world – ultrasensitive optical biosensors. The team evolves this technology behind its state-of-the-art by combining advances in modern photonics, chemistry and biology. The optical biosensors enable observation of biomolecular interactions and thus allow a better understanding of biological processes, such as those that play an essential role in the progression of diseases. Such knowledge can be further employed in the development of new therapies and drugs. The instruments developed by the team are used for a variety of other applications, among other fields, environmental monitoring, food safety, and the prevention of bioterrorism.

Fiber lasers and non-linear optics

The team focuses on the research of fiber lasers and optical fibers technologies. The fiber lasers offer a broad variety of uti-lisation in industry (material processing), in medicine (minimally invasive surgery, laser spectroscopy) or in defense industry (quick and precise neutralization of agile targets). They are based on the optical fibers. The special fibers enable to gene-rate laser radiation with high average output power; to transfer optical pulses of giant energies or to provide efficient interaction of the laser radiation with gases. Thus, they complement con-ventional fibers which nowadays connect the computers and telephone switchboards all over the world.

Synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials

The semiconductor nanostructures are the cornerstones of electronic and photonic elements of future. The research team develops the techniques which use the focused electron and ion beams for the position-controlled deposition of semiconductor nanostructures, with the aim to better understand the growth mechanisms and to describe the charge transport. The results of the research will be applied in the green energy sources, the sensors of chemicals and the light sources and detectors.

Bioelectrodynamics

The Bioelectrodynamics team studies how to analyze and influence organisms at the (bio)molecular level by using an electromagnetic field. The knowledge will be further applied in diagnostic and therapeutic methods in medicine and bio-nanotechnology. In comparison with current (often invasive) methods, the team strives to attain more efficient and non-aggressive technique.

Nano Optics

Nano optics takes over where conventional optical microscopy reaches its fundamental limits. It enables to capture processes at the level of a single molecule and to study mechanisms hid-den deeply inside single cells. The team aims to push forward the imaging methods using visible light and to study the dynamics of biological systems at the level of single molecules. The emerging microscopy techniques advance our knowledge in life sciences and medicine.

Laboratory of the National Time and Frequency Standard

The laboratory operates the National standard time in the Czech Republic and partakes in calculation of Coordinated Universal Time - UTC. The laboratory provides distribution of accurate time within Internet, time transfer by optical fibers, calibration of secondary time and frequency standards, and expert and consultancy services.

OUR SUCCESSES

Electric fields as physical switches for proteins: researchers from the CAS summarise their groundbreaking research

27. 7. 2026

The most comprehensive overview to date of how external electric fields influence protein structure and behaviour is provided by a review article prepared for the prestigious journal Chemical Society Reviews by researchers from our institute. In collaboration with colleagues from Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), University College Dublin (Ireland) and Uppsala University (Sweden), they demonstrate that this physical method has the potential to transform biotechnology, medicine and the food industry.