SPIE Announces the Best New Products in the Photonics Industry at Its 18 th Annual Prism Awards

On 21 January, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, recognized the top-rated new optics and photonics products with the industry-focused Prism Awards. The gala evening, held during SPIE Photonics West, marked the Prism Awards’ 18^th year of honoring companies that are bringing transformative products to market.

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Each year, the SPIE Prism Awards reflect the rapidly growing trajectory, exciting latest developments, and rich technical innovations across photonics and photonics-enabled industries. This year, the annual ceremony honored a range of established and emerging companies applying innovative and creative solutions to critical problems in areas such as cameras and imaging systems, sensors, lasers, quantum technology, XR technology, and biophotonic instruments. In addition, the Society recognized its third SPIE Catalyst Award recipient, honoring a for-profit company for a specific social or environmentally focused program that has had significant positive impact, either within their workplace, on society at large, or on the environment.

Finalists and winners were selected by a panel of international judges who leveraged their knowledge and acumen from across the technology commercialization and funding sectors. The distinguished judges from eight countries included government-agency representatives, commercial business executives, academic researchers, and industry leaders. Presenters at the gala event included the University of Arizona’s Jennifer Barton, Hamamatsu’s Klea Dhimitri, Coherent’s Chris Dorman, Optigrate’s Alexei Glebov, Chicago Quantum Exchange’s Kate Waimey Timmerman, Anchored In’s Anke Lohmann, Jenoptik’s Ralf Kuschnereit, Meta’s Naamah Argaman, and Imperial College’s Jessica Wade.

“The annual SPIE Prism Awards ceremony always offers an exciting collection of new products based on optics and photonics technologies,” said SPIE CEO Kent Rochford. “All of these company teams – and I’m including the finalists as well as the winners here – have brought innovative products to market, implementing critical photonic-supported technologies in ways that will have ongoing and tangible impact on lives across the globe. As always, I’m delighted to have been able to meet and congratulate the people involved in person, here at Photonics West.”

Below is the complete list of the award categories, the recipients, and their winning products:

• Biophotonic Instruments: Helix Surgical, Rx
• Cameras and Imaging Systems: Metalenz, Polar ID
• Lasers: IPG Photonics, YLR-8000-SM
• Optical Materials and Components: Seagate Technology, HAMR Hard Drive
• Quantum Tech: TOPTICA Photonics AG, TOPTICLOCK
• Sensors: Phlux Technology Ltd., Aura Noiseless InGaAs^® APD
• Test and Measurement: 4D Technology, 4D InSpec SR
• XR Tech: LightTrans International GmbH, VirtualLab Fusion
• Catalyst: Cerca Magnetics, Quantum OPM-MEG

For more information on the Prism Awards and the 2026 winners, please visit the SPIE website.

About SPIE

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, we have invested more than $26 million in the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. spie.org

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