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TNO, an independent research organization made up of units, boards, and a services organization, and imec, an independent R&D hub for nano- and digital technologies, have signed a letter of intent committing to work together on integrated photonics. Both research centers have each been working on photonics innovations for some time, but will now join forces to accelerate the development of the photonics industry in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Europe. The collaboration will start in 2023 within Holst Centre, the research and innovation center on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, where imec and TNO have collaborated since 2005. Holst Centre plays an active role in PhotonDelta's National Growth Fund proposal, and will further strengthen its position as a knowledge center with this agreement.

Integrated photonics

In photonics, photons (light) are used to transfer and process information. In integrated photonics, photonic components are integrated into a microchip, following a manufacturing process that builds on that of a conventional electronic chip. It combines the properties of photonics and microchips, allowing information to be transferred and processed faster and more efficiently, saving energy. Applications with integrated photonics could lead, for example, to the reduced energy consumption of data centers, safer autonomous cars, fine-grained measurement of food quality, and better-personalized diagnostics in healthcare.

Holst Centre in integrated photonics

Integrated photonics will be one of the new pillars of Holst Centre's strategy. Together with partners from the PhotonDelta ecosystem (such as the Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente, Photonics Integration Technology Center, and other organizations), it aims to accelerate the development of the European industry around integrated photonics. In doing so, Holst Centre builds a bridge between universities and industry, implementing the technology of integrated photonics into everyday applications. By combining the expertise of imec and TNO, all aspects needed in the development and production process, such as design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing, can be offered. 

Kathleen Philips, director imec at Holst Centre said, "The signing of this agreement is a milestone in the collaboration between TNO and imec. It is an ambitious challenge and a unique opportunity, bringing together the expertise of both organizations to put the Netherlands and Belgium even firmer on the map in the field of photonics."

Ton van Mol, director TNO at Holst Centre said, "We will combine imec's photonic microchip technology in Leuven, imec's design expertise in the Netherlands and TNO's optics and systems integration knowledge to help develop new sustainable solutions in different industries."

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