Meet Fermat
Fast forward
to your
optical design solutions
What we do
Imaging Optics, Tailored to Your Needs
Optical Design Studies
We navigate the entire design space, from off-the-shelf lenses and spherical systems to freeform optics, to identify the solution that best fits your performance and integration needs.
Design and Innovation
We offer tailored system design solutions that are precisely aligned with your application-specific requirements, constraints, tolerances, and budget.
Design to Fabrication
Through our strategic partnership with the Photonics Innovation Center and its optics fabrication pilot line, we provide a single point of entry from optical design to fabrication and metrology.
Cloud-Based Design Tools
We develop and deploy advanced cloud-based services built on our ‘First Time Right’ approach – unique tools that streamline your workflow and significantly boost productivity.
How We Work
From concept to fabrication, done right
At Fermat, we combine rigorous optical design with practical, industry-focused execution. Our patented ‘First Time Right’ approach avoids trial-and-error by exploring the entire solution space up front. The result: designs that are feasible, high-performing, and ready to build.
Whether you’re starting with an idea, refining an existing concept, or seeking a redesign for manufacturability, here’s how we work with you:
🧭 1. Define & Align
We begin by analyzing your goals, specifications, constraints, and tolerances. From early-stage ideas to detailed requirements, we work closely with you to define success and align technical understanding and priorities from the start.
💡 2. Explore & Design
Using our patented ‘First Time Right’ method, we explore the full optical design space, from off-the-shelf to custom, spherical to freeform. The outcome is an optimized, tolerance-aware design tailored to your integration and performance needs.
📦 3. Practical Results
You receive everything you need to move forward: optical design files (e.g., in Zemax), performance reports, 3D models, drawings, and documentation. Always clean, structured, and ready to use in engineering or manufacturing.
🤝 4. Flexible Collaboration
We adapt to your project stage and setup. Whether you need a fast redesign, full system development, or targeted optical consulting, we plug in where we’re needed — from feasibility studies to production-ready handoff.
🧩 5. Build-Ready Support
We work closely with trusted fabrication partners like the Photonics Innovation Center and PanDao to ensure a smooth transition from design to production. Need support for vendor coordination or manufacturability questions? We’re here.
Who we are
Over 50 Years of Shared Expertise in Optical Systems
Fabian
Duerr
Co-Founder, Chief Architect
Hugo
Thienpont
Co-Founder, Innovation & Business
Alejandro
Madrid-Sánchez
Optical Developer & Engineer
As a spin-off from Brussels Photonics at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, we combine academic optical design excellence with hands-on, industry-driven execution.
Why fermat?
Your Optics Partner - Across Challenges and Industries
Our mission is simple: to bring your vision to life – flawlessly, the first time, every time.
Tailored Solutions for Your Industry
With vast experience in sectors such as Agri-food, Automotive, Space, Medical Devices, Optical Inspection, Surveillance & Security, and Machine Vision, we deliver imaging systems that meet the real-world demands of your field.
Solving Your Challenges
We collaborate closely with your team to explore new concepts, deliver detailed consultations, and handle the full scope of optical design and development. From engineering and testing to rapid prototyping, we support you at every step.
Innovation, No Compromises
Whether you’re working with tight volume constraints, need cost-effective options, or tackling a highly specific requirement, we’re here to deliver the right solution – optimized and tailored precisely to your goals.
Our ‘First Time Right’ Philosophy
We integrate your specifications, constraints, and tolerances from the very beginning. This ensures a seamless process, improved development speed, and a final product that performs exactly as intended — the first time, every time.