225 years ago, on February 22, 1801, the naturalist Johann Wilhelm Ritter discovered ultraviolet radiation in Jena – an invisible radiation beyond violet light. To mark the occasion, Friedrich Schiller University Jena is organising the symposium “The Discovery and Application of UV Radiation” from 21 to 22 February 2026. The conference combines the history of science with current developments – from Ritter’s experiment to extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) in modern chip production.

Ritter succeeded in detecting this with the help of a prism and light-sensitive silver chloride papers. Influenced by Goethe’s polarity thinking, he was specifically looking for a “counterpole” to the recently discovered infrared radiation of William Herschel. The discovery is considered an example of productive exchange between experimental science and humanities thinking – a trademark of Jena as a science location.

The highlight is the re-enactment of Ritter’s historical experiment by Professors Holger Cartarius, Timo Mappes and Tom Wagner (University of Jena). The programme includes lectures from the history of science, physics, chemistry, technology and cultural sciences as well as contributions on health, the environment and radiation protection. The Association for Radiation Protection proclaims UV radiation the “Radiation of the Year 2026”.

The event is part of the L³ series (LIGHT, LIFE, LIBERTY) of the University of Jena. It begins on Saturday with a guided tour of the UV Cabinet of the Mineralogical Collection, followed by scientific lectures. On Sunday, a cultural walk “In the footsteps of Goethe and Ritter” will follow.

The organizers are the Center for Romanticism Research at the University of Jena, the German Optical Museum, the Professional Association for Radiation Protection and the Romantikerhaus Jena. Registration by February 14, 2026 by e-mail to h.huehn@uni-jena.de required.

The symposium underlines Jena’s role as the cradle of UV research and its importance for EUV lithography – a key technology for nanometer structures in high-performance chips, which was awarded the German Future Prize in 2020.

Further information:

“Radiation of the Year 2026”

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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