A legacy of light
Reflecting on 150 years of spectroscopy at ZEISS
![]({"xsmall":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.100.67.0,6,1370,919.file/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png","small":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.360.240.0,6,1370,919.file/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png","medium":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.768.512.0,6,1370,919.file/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png","large":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1024.683.0,6,1370,919.file/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png","xlarge":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1280.853.0,6,1370,919.file/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png","xxlarge":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1370.913.0,6,1370,919.file/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png","max":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1370.913.0,6,1370,919.file/150years_spectroscopy_signet_en.png"})
From the first spectrometer to the future of photonics
For over 150 years, ZEISS has been a leader in spectroscopy. As a pioneer in optics, ZEISS revolutionized photonics, from the first light refraction with a prism to today’s advanced connected spectrometers. ZEISS Spectroscopy continues to lead the way in optical measurement technology and we are committed to exceeding expectations in performance, reliability, sustainability and efficiency.
Join us as we explore our legacy and future innovations!
![]({"xsmall":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.100.75.107,0,1814,1280.file/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg","small":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.360.270.107,0,1814,1280.file/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg","medium":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.768.576.107,0,1814,1280.file/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg","large":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1024.768.107,0,1814,1280.file/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg","xlarge":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1280.960.107,0,1814,1280.file/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg","xxlarge":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1440.1080.107,0,1814,1280.file/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg","max":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1707.1280.107,0,1814,1280.file/1874__first-prism-spectrometer_web.jpg"})
How it all began
In 1874, renowned scientist Ernst Abbe developed the first prism spectrometer, allowing precise analysis of glass dispersion and refractive index. This was the start of ZEISS’s journey in producing industrial analytical instruments. Abbe’s collaboration with Carl Zeiss drove advancements in optical technology, establishing ZEISS as a leader in precision optical instruments.
![]({"xsmall":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/grating_module.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.100.75.106,0,1814,1281.file/grating_module.jpg","small":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/grating_module.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.360.270.106,0,1814,1281.file/grating_module.jpg","medium":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/grating_module.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.768.576.106,0,1814,1281.file/grating_module.jpg","large":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/grating_module.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1024.768.106,0,1814,1281.file/grating_module.jpg","xlarge":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/grating_module.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1280.960.106,0,1814,1281.file/grating_module.jpg","xxlarge":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/grating_module.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1440.1080.106,0,1814,1281.file/grating_module.jpg","max":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/grating_module.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1708.1281.106,0,1814,1281.file/grating_module.jpg"})
From vision to precision
Modern spectrometers rely on optical gratings, which disperse light into wavelengths. ZEISS gratings cover the full wavelength range, ensuring high accuracy and minimal stray light. These innovations result in clear, precise spectral data, essential for numerous high-tech applications.
![]({"xsmall":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/one-stop-shop.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.100.75.6,0,1914,1431.file/one-stop-shop.jpg","small":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/one-stop-shop.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.360.270.6,0,1914,1431.file/one-stop-shop.jpg","medium":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/one-stop-shop.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.768.576.6,0,1914,1431.file/one-stop-shop.jpg","large":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/one-stop-shop.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1024.768.6,0,1914,1431.file/one-stop-shop.jpg","xlarge":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/one-stop-shop.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1280.960.6,0,1914,1431.file/one-stop-shop.jpg","xxlarge":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/one-stop-shop.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1440.1080.6,0,1914,1431.file/one-stop-shop.jpg","max":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/one-stop-shop.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1908.1431.6,0,1914,1431.file/one-stop-shop.jpg"})
Holistic solutions made by ZEISS
Today, ZEISS offers comprehensive spectroscopy solutions, including gratings, modules and complete spectrometer systems. Our products are precise, robust, reliable and essential for industries like pharmaceuticals, environmental technology, thin film measurement, agriculture and food production and analysis.
![]({"xsmall":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.100.56.file/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg","small":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.360.203.file/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg","medium":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.768.432.file/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg","large":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1024.576.file/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg","xlarge":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1280.720.file/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg","xxlarge":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.image_file.1440.810.file/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg","max":"https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/spc/images/anniversary/anniversary_grating_stage.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original./anniversary_grating_stage.jpg"})
ZEISS Spectroscopy and the future of innovation
ZEISS remains committed to driving the future of spectroscopy. From pioneering the first prism spectrometer to developing connected spectrometry, our innovations continue to shape the optical technology landscape. By building on our history and embracing future possibilities, we will continue to illuminate the way for spectroscopy.