Post Show Report Photonics 2026
20th Anniversary Edition of International Exhibition for Laser, Optical and Optoelectronic Technologies
31 March – 2 April 2026
Timiryazev Centre, Moscow, Russia
Photonics 2026 once again confirmed the show’s status as the largest trade show that brings together manufacturers, researchers, developers, and customers of photonic technologies from Russia and other countries.
Dates: 31 March – 2 April March 2026
Venue: Timiryazev Centre, Moscow, Russia
Organised by EXPOCENTRE AO, the Laser Association
Supported by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade
Under auspices of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Floor space: 7,000 sq. m
Countries: Armenia, Belarus, China, Russia
Exhibitors: 163 companies
Russian exhibitors: 106 companies
Newcomers: Optics, Optoelectronics and Laser Technology, Azmerit, Akmetron, Photonics Systems, Elmak
Attendance: 6,971 professional visitors from 4 countries and 67 regions of Russia
Types of products on display: laser technologies for materials processing (cutting, welding, marking, additive manufacturing), optical elements, systems and materials, new machines for their manufacture, optoelectronics, sensors, detectors and equipment artificial vision
The official opening ceremony was attended by Denis Frantsuzov, Vice President at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sergey Popov, Shvabe Deputy CEO for R&D, Head of the Priority Technological Direction on Optoelectronics and Photonics Technologies, Nikolay Evtikhiev, President at the Laser Association, Zhu Xiao, Honorary President at the Laser Association of Hubei Province (China), Ivan Kovsh, Honorary President and Advisor to the Board at the Laser Association, and Maxim Fateev, General Director at EXPOCENTRE AO.
Show highlights
Nikolay Evtikhiev, President at the Laser Association, stressed that the number of special equipment designed for direct practical use has significantly increased this year.
Laser systems for microelectronics: Laser Center
Laser Center has showed a number of systems focused on the tasks of the Russian radio electronics industry. The main novelty is the Omega system, an installation for precision laser fitting of resistors, which allows for accurate correction of the ratings of passive components in integrated circuits.
Solar radiation simulators for space use: NPO GKMP
NPO GKMP presented a range of solar radiation simulators for testing space and ground-based equipment. The exhibits included a LED simulator in a vacuum compatible design, providing energy illumination of up to 1,600 W/sq.m. with an unevenness of less than 10% and a class A spectral compliance. The compact design allows the device to be used directly in the vacuum chambers of thermovacuum test benches.
Microscope optics for a thermal imaging camera: Tekknow
Tekknow presented a microscope optics for the PI 640 thermal imaging camera, a special solution for quality control of printed circuit boards that allows detecting temperature changes of objects up to 8 microns in size.
High-contrast cameras and complexes for UAVs: Fotonika NPK
Fotonika NPK attracted attention of visitors with the VC1300-V2 high-contrast camera, designed for radar-free UAV detection. The camera detects moving objects with subpixel accuracy, and special algorithms provide recognition and tracking of drones in passive mode.
Developments of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
The stand of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences brought together the developments of three Novosibirsk institutes:
- Institute of Automation and Electometry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences: diffraction optical elements for controlling laser radiation parameters, a fiber-optic sensor line polling device, a multifunctional automated circular table, and the COBRA coherent optical reflectometer,
- Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences: nonlinear optical crystals for converting laser radiation in the visible and UV ranges, and acousto-optical crystals of paratellurite,
- Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences: developments for studying atmospheric turbulence, aerosol lidars, and a system for operational spatial optical monitoring of atmospheric conditions using computer vision technologies.
Moscow enterprises: Avesta, Optron, Zelenograd Nanotechnology Center
About 50 Moscow companies took part in the show.
Avesta (more than 35 years on the market, over 4,500 customers worldwide) has introduced a new line of lasers, measuring devices, and optical elements for research and precision processing of materials.
Optron (part of the Rosel holding of Rostec State Corporation) showed promising new products that surpass their counterparts from the Asia-Pacific countries in a number of parameters: photodetectors for ROSA optical transceivers used in rangefinders and telecommunication transceivers, as well as powerful blue and red laser diodes for industrial and explosion-proof lighting systems.
Zelenograd Nanotechnology Center presented key components for advanced data transmission systems and optical chips of its own production using full-cycle technology, providing a significant increase in the volume and speed of information transmission.
Conference programme
This year’s conference programme featured 26 events including:
- the 14th Congress of the Photonics Technological Platform with Conferences on Laser Macroprocessing of Industrial Materials; Laser Microprocessing in Microelectronics, Instrumentation, Engraving, and Marking; Semiconductor Photonics. Nanophotonics; Fiber Optic Communication Lines and Their Components; Photonics in Agriculture and Nature Management; Photonics in Medicine and Life Sciences; Metrology Support for Photonics; etc.
- the Panel on the Issues of Development of Artificial Vision Systems and the Component Base of These Systems under the Russian Technology Programme on Photonics and Optoelectronics
- the Panel on Training Personnel for the Photonics Industry
- the Panel on Russian-Chinese Cooperation in Photonics
- the Panel on the Support of Innovation Activities in Russia
- the Working Meeting on Regulatory and Technical Support for the Development of Laser Technologies in the Real Sector of the Russian Economythe Workshop on the Russian Industrial Equipment for the Assembly of Integrated Photonics Components (organised by Perm Scientific and Industrial Instrument Making Company and INNFOCUS)
- the Extended Meeting of the Council for Optics and Photonics of the Department of Physical Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences
- the Conference of the Laser Association for Elections to the CIS Board of National Experts on Lasers and Laser Technology
- the Job Fair for applicants and companies of the laser and optical industry at the stand of the Laser Association
The 14th Congress of the Photonics Technological Platform: key points
Nikolay Evtikhiev, President at the Laser Association, presented a detailed analysis of the state of the industry, emphasizing that photonics has become today’s key technology. He highlighted the explosive growth of the global market: the laser market is expected to reach USD 32.08 billion by 2031, with an average annual growth rate of 6.96%. The main driver of the industry today is not the production of lasers themselves, but the creation of finished products and machine tools based on them.
Yuri Kulchin, Vice President at the Russian Academy of Sciences, spoke about photonics for agriculture. Andrey Sokolov, Deputy Chair at the Dissertation Council of the Scientific and Production Corporation for Precision Instrument Engineering Systems, reported on lasers in space technology: experience, tasks, and prospects.
Academician Nikolay Kolachevsky (Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences) took part in the Extended Meeting of the Council for Optics and Photonics of the Department of Physical Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences to present advanced photonics methods in quantum computing on an ion platform, including the creation of an ion quantum computer based on 35 ytterbium-171 ions using 70 qubits, and the world's first experimental demonstration of Grover's qudits algorithm. Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Naumov (Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences) spoke about current approaches to luminescent nanothermometry with an accuracy of 0.1°C per 100 ms, which opens up prospects for biomedicine and nanophotonics.
The winners in the Laser Association's competition for the best student final qualification in 2025 were bachelors and masters from five Russian universities.
The winners of the Laser Association's competition for the best development launched on the market in 2024-2025 were 12 creative teams from 5 regions of Russia. Certificates and memorable gifts were awarded at the plenary session of the Congress of the Photonics Technological Platform.
New venue
For the first time in 20 years, the show moved from the Forum Pavilion of EXPOCENTRE Fairgrounds to a new venue – Timiryazev Centre. The relocation attracted wide attention from the professional community. Despite nostalgia for the atmosphere of the historic Forum with its glass dome and proximity to Moscow City, industry observers spoke about a good level of management of the event at the new location.
Photonics 2026 was held as a landmark anniversary event that confirmed the status of the show as the main communication platform for the Russian laser and optical industry and a key industry forum in the CIS and Eastern Europe.
The show demonstrated a high level of interaction between the research and industry communities in the Russian photonics, and the creation of new laser-optical and optoelectronic technology for all industries.
The 21st edition of the International Exhibition for Laser, Optical and Optoelectronic Technologies – Photonics. World of Lasers and Optics 2027 – will take place from 30 March through 1 April 2027 in Timiryazev Centre, Moscow, Russia.
Press Service, EXPOCENTRE AO