PIC Summit stresses aiding photon chip growth

PIC Summit Europe, organised by PhotonDelta, a photonic chip industry accelerator, is addressing a wide range of topics and opportunities related to photonic chip technology and its applications. Senior leaders are exploring how the photonic and electronic chip industries can collaborate more effectively, aiming to streamline processes and eliminate barriers to integration.

Photonic chips, also known as Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), have the potential to address the limitations of traditional semiconductor technology, which is essential for driving innovation in areas like AI's sustainable development. They can also boost performance and reduce energy consumption in data centres, advance quantum computing, and provide new sensing solutions for sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and the automotive industry.

The summit features keynotes and panel discussions with notable figures such as Gustav Kalbe, Acting Director for Enabling and Emerging Technologies at the EU Commission; Tjerk Opmeer, Acting Director-General of Economic Affairs; Sytze Kampen, Head of Technology at Airbus; Faisal Kamran, Principal Technology Analyst at Sony; and Nicolas Fontaine, Head of Silicon Photonics at Nokia Bell Labs.

In his address, Gustav Kalbe said: “You can see how ubiquitous applications for integrated photonics are becoming. They’re becoming a fundamental building block. The need is ever-increasing, and ever-critical because photonics underpins so many other technologies.”

“Integrated photonics remains a key European focus,” he added. “But it’s important that we come together to coordinate and collaborate – between member states and across the industry.”

PhotonDelta also launched a new initiative aimed at attracting much-needed talent to the integrated photonics industry. This includes a new jobs board, an information portal, and an online campaign designed to promote career opportunities within the sector and help it reach its full potential. This follows the announcement of a €50,000 Global Photonic Engineering Contest, organised in collaboration with Wevolver, to discover photonic chip applications that address global challenges.

“Photonic chip technology offers solutions to big societal challenges in areas such as mobility, energy, climate change, food and health. The hurdle we need to overcome is bringing these solutions to market faster. To do this we need a holistic approach which combines public and private funding, entrepreneurship and international cooperation," commented Eelko Brinkhoff, CEO of PhotonDelta. "This is why PIC Summit Europe has placed a strong focus on stimulating cooperation between photonic and electronic chip industries, academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and value chain partners, from material suppliers to end-users.

“The Summit has generated a wealth of new ideas and initiatives that cover everything from photonic chip technology and its applications, integration with semiconductors, through to standardisation, public and private funding and government support. I would call on European companies, government bodies and academic organisations to listen to these ideas and work together to drive the industry forward.”