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The Theodor W. Hänsch Prize in Quantum Optics provides an early-career professional (1-5 years post highest degree) the opportunity to pursue a compelling and innovative research project that has the potential to make a meaningful and positive impact on the science and applications of optics-enabled quantum technologies.

The goal of this Prize is to support dynamic and rigorous research in the area of quantum optics and photonics that aims to solve complex, theoretical or real-world problems. Recipients will be granted total research freedom with consideration being given to the following:

1. Work focused on advancing basic research or pursuing a compelling project that has a meaningful global impact.
2. Efforts focused on transitioning an idea into a commercial innovation.

The recipient will receive a USD 20,000 prize to support their project/proposal, plus travel expenses to attend Quantum 2.0 in the year the prize is awarded. This is a personal prize and is not renewable.

The Theodor W. Hänsch Prize in Quantum Optics is made possible thanks to the generous support of Hamamatsu Photonics, MenloSystems, and Thorlabs.

Important Dates

Opens: 21 January 2026
Closes: 20 March 2026

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an Optica member.
• Must be an early career professional (1-5 years post highest degree*) 
• Must be conducting research in the area of quantum optics. Examples of eligible disciplines include: optical systems, metrology, cryptography and keys, computing, single-photon emitters, low-noise photodetectors, optical traps, cold atom.

*Program requirements recognize and exclude breaks from career timelines (e.g., eldercare; maternity or paternity leave; military service, long-term illness, or inability to work due to Covid-19 and lab closures).  

Application Requirements

1. Applicant name, affiliation, and contact information
2. Applicant CV/Resume (no more than four (4) pages)
3. Research Proposal Title and 150-word Proposal Summary
4. Research Proposal (no more than two (2) pages) covering:
5. 
   
   1. Current research and the intended goals
   2. Potential impact of your project to advance the field of quantum optics
   3. Potential for your research to solve real-world challenges and/or have a global impact
   4. An overview of how the USD 20,000 prize would benefit your research and career
6. One (1) example of published work 
7. Two (2) letters of recommendation

The prize honors the extraordinary contributions of Theodor W. Hänsch, Director of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics. A native of Germany, Hänsch earned his Ph.D. in Laser Physics from the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg and, soon after, became a professor at Stanford University. In 1986, he was awarded the Albert A. Michelson Medal from the Franklin Institute and chose to return to Germany as to direct the Max Planck Institute, where he continues to serve as Director as well as a Carl Friedrich von Siemens Professor at the Ludwig Maximilians University.

Theodor Hänsch is known for his seminal contributions in the field of laser spectroscopy. In 2001, he and two of his PhDs began Menlo Systems as a spin-off of the Max-Plack Institute and, in 2005, he shared one-half of the Nobel Prize in Physics for contributions to the development of laser-based precision spectroscopy, including the optical frequency comb technique. Throughout his career, he has received many awards, including Optica's William F. Meggers Award and Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize. He has given more than a lifetime’s worth of dedication and achievements to physics, lasers and photonics. He remains an inspiration to everyone who calls him friend, colleague, boss or mentor.