Winter Academy

SAOT Winter Academy 2026 ❄️️

This is the announcement of the SAOT Winter Academy 2026, taking place in Kleedorf from March 11th – 13th, 2026: https://www.zum-alten-schloss.de 

  • Course A: Introduction to intellectual property and patents

Course leader: Dr. J. Felix Grasbon

  • Course B: OPTEC

Course leader: Dr. Martin Hohmann

See below for detailled course descriptions.

Please kindly confirm your registration by December 23rd 2025 below, so we can make the necessary arrangements.

Registration:

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Course Details

Course A: Introduction to intellectual property and patents

Course leader: Dr. J Felix Grasbon

This course offers an introduction to intellectual property. Specifically, we will present on industrial property rights including patents, designs, and trademarks as well as topics such as infringement and invalidity proceedings and German employee inventor regulations. The course enables participants to understand how innovation in optical technologies can be effectively protected and when it makes sense to apply for a patent. It explains fundamental principles such as patentability requirements, prior art, disclosure obligations, and strategic filing considerations. Through well-defined examples, concepts and hands-on tasks, the course provides essential guidance for navigating the patent system, avoiding common risks, and making informed decisions in photonics research. Thinking about patenting your work? Bring your ideas to the course!

 

Course B: OPTEC – Basics of Optics

Course leader: Dr. Martin Hohmann

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of optics, focusing on the behavior of light and its interactions with matter. Key topics include reflection, refraction and the formation of images by lenses and mirrors. The course also covers the fundamentals of wave optics, including interference, diffraction, birefringence and polarization, and the practical applications of these concepts.