The new building will accommodate approximately 120 researchers from various disciplines working together on optics research and production, starting in 2026. During the ceremonial laying of the cornerstone, speeches were given by the Lower Saxony Minister for Science and Culture Falko Mohrs, the Mayor of the city of Hanover Belit Onay, as well as the President of Leibniz University, Prof. Dr. Volker Epping, and Prof. Uwe Morgner, spokesperson of the Excellence Cluster PhoenixD and chairman of the Scientific Board at LZH.

Prof. Dr. Uwe Morgner, Director of the Institute of Quantum Optics and spokesperson for the PhoenixD Cluster of Excellence, explains: "On the new optics campus with OPTICUM, Laser Zentrum Hannover and the many small and medium-sized companies, we are creating first-class research conditions, maximum synergy and proximity. In the increasingly fierce competition for students and the world's best scientists, this makes us one of the most important photonics centres in Europe."

More information in the LUH press release: https://www.uni-hannover.de/en/universitaet/aktuelles/online-aktuell/details/news/forschungsbau-opticum-grundstein-ist-gelegt