Welcome to B-PHOT Brussels Photonics.
We are a self-supporting research and innovation institute of the Faculty of Engineering of Vrije Universiteit Brussel with 35 years of experience in photonics education, research and innovation.
B-PHOT is an international and gender-balanced community hosting 70 experts from 20 countries.
Our continuous mission is to advance photonics, the key digital technology that uses the unique properties of light to innovate. As such, we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
We are recognized by the Flemish Government as “Photonics Spearhead for Industrial Research and Innovation" because of our track record for transferring photonics expertise and innovation breakthroughs to companies.
B-PHOT is also uniquely involved as coordinator of the EC-funded pan-European initiatives PhotonHub Europe and PhotonHub PHACTORY that support both SMEs and researchers with photonics innovation.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Hugo Thienpont
Research Director of B-PHOT
B-PHOT is a core research group of Flanders Make, the strategic research center for manufacturing and industry 4.0 in Flanders.
In the spotlight
PhotonHub PHACTORY (2025-2028)
The new iniviative PhotonHub PHACTORY offers expert support, fast-track access to Europe’s leading laboratories, and generous subsidies.
Hamamatsu Applied Photonics Innovation Chair
With this chair Hamamatsu Photonics wants to intensify its contacts with B-PHOT researchers and stay in touch with B-PHOT's latest research breakthroughs and their potential applications.
A look inside the VUB Photonics Campus
Since opening in 2013, our campus has expanded to 4.500 m², where advanced technology and cutting‑edge technological research shape the life of tomorrow.