The Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics & Technology (NIAOT) was established and joined NAOC in April 2001. It evolved from the Research and Development (R&D) units and Mirror Laboratory of the Nanjing Astronomical Instruments Research Center founded in 1958.

NIAOT has developed approximately 60 astronomical telescopes and instruments, including LAMOST and the 2.16-meter optical telescope as well as 30 astronomical instruments exported to foreign countries. As of 2013, the institute had nearly 1,500 sets of R&D equipment, including a 4-meter CNC optical manufacturing machine. The institute has over 20 professors including two CAS academicians and one academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Among its total staff of 200, 70 of them are senior engineers. The institute has an enrollment of about 60 graduate students. It collaborates with a number of internationally astronomical observatories and institutes.

NIAOT will focus on research involving Antarctic astronomical facilities, key technologies for the ground-based optical/infrared Extremely Large Telescope, the detection of exoplanets, as well as national space missions. It will also develop new technologies for astronomical high-resolution imaging and astronomical telescopes used in extreme environments and advanced manufacturing technology for large aspherical mirrors.

30 Meter Optical Inspection Tower at NIAOT