Fraunhofer

Fraunhofer is a surname associated with Joseph Ritter von Fraunhofer (1787–1826), a Bavarian physicist and optical instrument maker who advanced spectroscopy. He refined the diffraction grating and measured the solar spectrum, documenting hundreds of dark absorption lines that are now called Fraunhofer lines. His work helped establish spectral analysis and provided a wavelength reference used in astronomy and chemistry. Fraunhofer also contributed to the manufacture of precision optical glass and instruments.

Fraunhofer lines are dark absorption features in the solar spectrum caused by elements in the Sun’s atmosphere. Catalogued by Fraunhofer, these lines serve as fingerprints for chemical composition and physical conditions of stars, and they underpin spectroscopy broadly. While many lines are faint, some well-known examples include lines associated with calcium (H and K) and sodium (D), used for calibration and diagnostics.

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, or Fraunhofer Society, is a German applied research organization with numerous institutes across the country. Founded in 1949 and named after Joseph von Fraunhofer, it conducts contract research for industry and public authorities and emphasizes technology transfer and practical innovation. The society supports research across fields such as information and communication technology, materials science, energy, and life sciences, and it operates as one of Europe’s leading bodies for applied science.