On June 20, just days before the LASER World of PHOTONICS show opens its doors in Munich, the global laser community will gather once again in Ditzingen, Germany, for one of the most prestigious events in the field: the Berthold Leibinger Awards ceremony. Every other year on the grounds of TRUMPF headquarters, Nobel laureates, laser industry leaders, and pioneering scientists convene in a celebration of both applied innovation and fundamental research in laser technology. The Leibinger Awards, presented by the Berthold Leibinger Stiftung, honor outstanding achievements with the Innovationspreis (Innovation Award) and the Zukunftspreis (Future Award). This year, the Berthold Leibinger Zukunftspreis was awarded to professor Jun Ye of JILA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the University of Colorado Boulder for his revolutionary work in optical clocks. Three other teams will be recognized with the Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis for innovations in laser applications. Courtesy of Berthold Leibinger Foundation. Where precision meets purpose If the idea of a clock that will remain within 1-s accuracy in the entire 13.8-billion-year lifespan of the universe sounds like science fiction, Ye is here to prove otherwise. His work on optical clocks pushes the boundaries of precision metrology to previously unimaginable levels of accuracy. Traditional atomic clocks use transitions in atoms’ electron shells. By stabilizing laser light to these transitions, Ye’s team built clocks with a precision of 10−18. But the team went further. It introduced transitions within the atomic nucleus itself — which “tick” even more precisely. “Such an honor clearly reflects the scientific spirit of all the amazing people I have had the privilege of working with over the years,” Ye said, reflecting on the collaborative nature of his lab at JILA. Ye’s work not only enables more accurate GPS systems and time stamping for the internet, but also provides a foundation for new tools to test fundamental physics. Ultraprecise clocks can detect minute variations in gravity and search for potential interactions with dark matter. Ye is part of a celebrated group of previous Zukunftspreis recipients, including Anne L’Huillier and Gérard Mourou, who received the Nobel Prize not long after they were honored in Ditzingen. The Zukunftspreis underscores the Leibinger Stiftung’s commitment to advancing basic research with real-world implications. The spirit of technology transfer The Innovationspreis, established in 2000 by Berthold Leibinger, celebrates the successful transfer of laser research into practical applications. This year’s eight finalist teams were selected from more than two dozen entries. Projects span a remarkable range of topics and technology readiness levels, reflecting both the breadth and dynamism of the field. Three winners will be announced and honored in Ditzingen. Among the finalists is a team from Carl Zeiss Meditec. Its work on SMILE, a femtosecond laser-based procedure for minimally invasive eye surgery, has restored vision for millions. A team from 4JET Microtech uses laser-textured surfaces mimicking shark skin to reduce aerodynamic drag and CO2 emissions. A third project applies laser-driven radiation sources to the inspection of nuclear waste containers — an application derived from fusion technology. The winner of the 2025 Berthold Leibinger Zukunftspreis, professor Jun Ye, uses complex laser systems to measure time with ultraprecision. Courtesy of JILA. “The projects presented by all finalists were absolutely fascinating,” said jury member Martin van den Brink, former president and CTO of ASML. Beyond exceptional engineering, the Innovationspreis often highlights paths to market that require exceptional persistence and creativity. A family legacy of photonics The Leibinger awards reflect the enduring influence of Leibinger, who transformed TRUMPF from a Swabian machine tool builder into a global technology leader. As a passionate advocate for the interplay between science and industry, he strongly believed in the importance of rewarding scientific curiosity alongside technical application. Since his death in 2018, the foundation has been led by his children, Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller, CEO of TRUMPF, and Peter Leibinger, who chairs the company’s supervisory board. Peter Leibinger will once again host the ceremony. This year’s keynote will be delivered by James Kafka, president of Optica. A night for the global laser community The ceremony in Ditzingen has become more than a prize event — it is a forum for global exchange. With up to 600 attendees, including scientific luminaries, industry executives, and representatives from leading institutions, the evening is a celebration of shared enthusiasm for laser science and technology. As in previous years, attendance is by invitation only, and the list fills quickly. Those interested in attending can apply via the foundation’s website, www.leibinger-stiftung.de. Submissions for the next round of the Innovationspreis open on June 20, 2025, and will be accepted through Sept. 1, 2026. Whether in the lab probing the nature of time or in factories optimizing laser processes for industry, the Berthold Leibinger Awards shine a light on the people and ideas driving photonics.