At the end of this year, TNO will start building a pilot plant for photonic chips at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. This new factory will enable industrial-scale production of Indium Phosphide (InP)-based photonic chips. In addition, scaling up from 4-inch to 6-inch wafers makes production more efficient. For this, TNO is collaborating in the Photonic Integration Technology Centre (PITC) with Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Twente.
Dutch companies such as SMART Photonics will use the facilities, which are intended to strengthen the entire Dutch ecosystem around photonic chips. The plant is funded through the EU Chips Act, PhotonDelta, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and TNO, and is part of the European initiative PIXEurope.
This pilot plant is a gamechanger for Dutch companies and our country's future earning potential. It is a critical part of a powerful ecosystem in photonic chips with which the Netherlands can distinguish itself globallyTon van Mol, Managing Director at TNO
Advantages photonic chips
InP photonic chips use light to transmit data and are distinguished by their extremely compact size thanks to a high degree of integration. With their high speed, low power consumption and high bandwidth, photonic chips improve data centre performance and enable new generations of smart devices, among other things. They play a crucial role in advanced applications such as AI, 6G networks, medical diagnostics and defence systems. They are therefore one of the key technologies for the future.
Strategic importance photonic chips
For the Netherlands and Europe, photonic chips are also of strategic importance: they strengthen technological independence and create innovative and economic opportunities for companies in the high-tech sector. The total investment in the Dutch pilot plant amounts to €153 million. In addition, High Tech Campus Eindhoven is investing in the building and cleanroom.
Gamechanger
Ton van Mol, managing director at TNO: "This pilot plant is a gamechanger for Dutch companies and our country's future earning potential. It is a critical part of a powerful ecosystem in photonic chips with which the Netherlands can distinguish itself globally."
European cooperation
The new pilot plant connects knowledge institutions and companies and will have a central place in the growing Dutch ecosystem for integrated photonics. The factory in Eindhoven will also be part of the European initiative PIXEurope, a collaboration of knowledge institutions in 11 European countries. Within this project, they are working on a European network of pilot production lines, aimed at strengthening the entire value chain for integrated photonics in Europe.
Source and image: TNO
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