The Karlsruhe Center for Optics and Photonics (KCOP) is a cutting-edge micro- and nanofabrication facility that is currently being built up at KIT and that will enter into full operation in January 2026. Once completed, KCOP will offer more than 2000 m² of cleanroom area and laboratory space to a wide range of research groups from both fundamental science and engineering. One of the key objectives of KCOP is to replace a series of smaller cleanrooms, which are scattered across KIT campuses and which are operated by individual research groups.

KCOP was initiated by a group of shareholder institutes within three KIT Divisions. KCOP embraces a series of principal investigators (PI) that are active in the field of Optics & Photonics. These PI will continue to drive research activities in six research areas, geared towards grand challenges in society, technology and science.

The technologies of KCOP will be organised in nine technology clusters, each comprising several laboratories. Each technology cluster is directed by an experienced staff scientist.
At KCOP we want to create a space for interdisciplinary work. For this reason several technology clusters are assigned to each research area.