SPIE Names 2026 Prism Award Finalists Honoring Innovative Photonics Products

Posted Nov 18, 2025 by GoPhotonics Editorial Team

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SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, has named the best new photonics products, the finalists for the 2026 SPIE Prism Awards. The 24 products - by companies ranging from emerging innovators to industry stalwarts - selected in eight categories, will be honored during a 21 January gala evening at SPIE Photonics West. The annual event, which will be celebrating its 18th year, recognizes commercialized innovation in photonics, honoring companies that are bringing transformative products to market.

Rapidly developing technology areas such as biophotonic instruments, lasers, quantum tech, and sensors showcase the range and variety of this year's entries and finalists. Newer companies such as Momentum Optics and Phlux Technology, previous SPIE Startup Challenge finalists Ki3 Photonics Technologies, and 2022 SPIE Startup Challenge winners Vitrealab will compete for Prism honors alongside more established companies such as ams OSRAM, 4D Technology, and TOPTICA.

This year, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, will celebrate its third annual SPIE Catalyst Award. This recognition honors for-profit companies with specific social or environmentally focused programs that have had significant positive impact, either within their workplace, on society at large, or on the environment. Finalists for this year’s Catalyst Award are Cerca Magnetics and PicoQuant GmbH.

“The Prism Awards ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the impact that optics and photonics technologies have on our lives,” says SPIE CEO Kent Rochford. “For SPIE, it’s an honor to recognize the scientists, engineers, and companies who are working so hard to bring these products to market, and I’m looking forward to congratulating all the finalists and winners at our celebration at Photonics West in January.”

The Award finalists and their competing products and programs:

Biophotonic Instruments

Cameras and Imaging Systems

Lasers