The Netherlands is getting a European pilot factory for so-called photonic chips. These are chips that transmit information with light, instead of electrons as is common now. Both Eindhoven and Enschede are intended locations for components of the pilot plant.
Photonic chips are a new generation of microchips that use light particles (photons) instead of electric current (electrons) to process and transport information. Communication via optical signals allows more information to be sent over a longer distance. In practice, this translates into higher performance and better energy efficiency. These characteristics make photonics a promising technology, especially for applications where speed and energy efficiency are crucial, such as in data centres, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.
133 million earmarked for production line
The consortium PIXEurope, comprising parties from 11 countries including the Netherlands, has been selected to build the factory. They will hold contract talks to develop a European pilot plant for photonic chips. A total of 380 million euros of public investment has been earmarked from the European Union (EU) and the countries involved. 133 million euros of this total amount has been earmarked for this pilot production line within the Netherlands.
This is a project of the so-called Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU). This is a European public-private partnership that supports research, development and innovation of semiconductor technologies and applications. Companies, knowledge institutions and governments from various both European and non-European countries are part of the joint venture. The EU is also involved. From the Netherlands, this includes companies such as Smart Photonics.
Chips JU funds projects that contribute to strengthening Europe's competitiveness in semiconductors. The photonics technology pilot production lines are one example.
Well positioned
The realisation of the proposed facilities has been awarded to knowledge institute TNO, TU Eindhoven and the University of Twente. The Netherlands has long been active in the field of photonics and is therefore well positioned for the production of photonic chips. Think of PhotonDelta, in which dozens of SMEs work together with technology and innovation partners.
Minister Dirk Beljaarts (Economic Affairs): "This is good news. For the Dutch innovation climate as a whole and for the SMEs involved who are working hard on this. Photonics is not for nothing one of the technologies designated as strategic by the cabinet. Our goal is to gain a strong European competitive position in it. From knowledge, innovation, supply to final production. That is necessary for the Dutch jobs and income of the future, solving societal challenges and our national security."
If negotiations, contracts and funding are finalised, the project is expected to start in mid-2025.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Image: brookhaven via Pixabay
