Action Agenda Optical Systems & Integrated Photonics

This Innovation Programme accelerates a fundamental shift in wireless communication with Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication and photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The focus is on ultra-fast, secure and energy-efficient connections to supplement radio frequencies, applicable in a wide range of contexts: from short indoor links to satellite and deep-space communication. The urgency is great because data demand is growing explosively while the radio spectrum and associated capacity are reaching their limits.

Narrow light beams, adaptive optics and energy-efficient terminals enable higher data speeds, lower latency and better security, including quantum-secure links. This is being achieved through two PPS projects (FREE 2.0 and PICs for data/telecom), which are working according to a phased approach: from technological building blocks, through lab demonstrators, to industrial validation in use cases such as building-to-building, drones and satellites.

The expected impact is strong growth in new revenue models in telecommunications, data centres, defence and aerospace, and greater strategic autonomy through the development and production of proprietary photonic components.

Within this Programme, advanced optical systems and integrated photonics are being developed and demonstrated for applications in defence, security and space. The programme focuses on strengthening strategic autonomy by realising sensor, communication and detection technology in our own value chains, with broad dual-use potential.

Innovation directions include quantum key distribution for eavesdropping-free networks, hyperspectral LiDAR for surveillance, laser directed energy for protection against drones, PIC-based multisensors for CBRN detection and quantum sensors for GPS-independent navigation. In addition, missions are organised to actively connect OSIP companies to the Ministry of Defence. Suitable test and cleanroom infrastructure is also being identified for shared use. The programme combines fundamental research with the development of demonstrators that are validated in realistic operational scenarios.

The expected impact is better situational awareness, faster detection and robust, miniaturised systems with lower weight and energy consumption (SWaP-C). This programme is being carried out in collaboration with, among others, technical universities, TNO, NLR, Thales, Demcon and relevant ministries and European programmes.

This Programme focuses on making agriculture and food production smarter, more sustainable and scalable with OSIP sensors and light technology. For example, hyperspectral, NIR and SWIR sensors are being developed for real-time monitoring of crops, soil and water, which can be used on machines, drones and satellites. In addition, photonic emission sensors are being developed, including for nitrogen, methane and ammonia, to enable more targeted monitoring and control of environmental impact and biodiversity.

For applications in food processing, miniaturised Raman and laser speckle sensors are being developed for inline quality control. In parallel, dynamic lighting strategies are being developed that contribute to improving plant growth and animal welfare, with lower use of energy, pesticides and antibiotics.

The programme consists of four public-private partnership lines, which are being brought from lab prototypes to pilots at growers and food processors through a phased approach. These processes are linked to AI analysis and testing grounds. The expected impact lies in higher yields and (product) quality, less waste, a lower ecological footprint and the preservation of Dutch export leadership in high-tech agri-food.

This Innovation Programme focuses on positioning the Netherlands as a leader in optical and photonic diagnostics that are faster, more accurate and more patient-friendly. Five public-private partnerships are being developed in this area:

• combined OCT and fluorescence imaging for structural and molecular diagnosis

• portable optical wearables for non-invasive monitoring

• advanced retinal imaging for early detection of eye and systemic diseases

• integrated photonics ultrasonic transducers (IPUTs) with higher resolution and penetration

• and point-of-care biosensor platforms on photonic chips.

These lines respond to healthcare pressures, ageing populations and staff shortages. At the same time, the programme explicitly addresses the 'valley of death' between TRL 3 and 6 through the development of demonstrators and clinical validation in UMC living labs. Regulatory requirements, including MDR and IVDR, are taken into account from the outset. The expected impact includes lower healthcare costs, better treatment outcomes, the development of new medtech products and a strengthening of the Dutch export position in the field of medical technology.

This programme provides optical metrology and inspection for increasingly complex chip production. Fast, non-destructive measurement concepts and instruments are being developed for high-volume manufacturing, both in optical systems and via compact PIC measurement modules. Five public-private partnerships are focusing on the development of new optical metrology systems for 3D nano and PIC structures, including EUV scatterometry and lensless imaging. In addition, the programme includes frequency comb lasers as building blocks, real-time Fourier spectroscopy on-chip, AI-linked photonics platforms for parallel measurements and THz tomography for rapid inline inspection.

The approach focuses on TRL 3 to 6, with demonstrators validated in industrial environments. The expected impact is the preservation and strengthening of Dutch leadership in optical metrology, higher accuracy and throughput, new export opportunities and greater technological sovereignty within European semiconductor value chains.

This programme links photonics directly to the national and European quantum agenda, with the aim of realising a scalable quantum ecosystem. The programme works along three interrelated lines: the first line focuses on the development of photonic building blocks such as PICs, single-photon detectors and optical interfaces and packaging for application in quantum computing, sensing and communication.

The second line focuses on strengthening the ecosystem and talent through shared test beds and infrastructure, linked to European initiatives such as PIONEER. The third line comprises pilots and demonstrators that accelerate the transition from lab to market in areas such as telecoms, health and defence.

To prevent fragmentation, efforts are being made to promote close cooperation around Quantum Delta NL and a Regional Innovation Valley for Photonics and Quantum. The expected impact is accelerated commercialisation of quantum technology, a strong international positioning for the Netherlands, and greater strategic autonomy because critical photonic components remain within the country's national value chains.

This Innovation Programme accelerates the energy transition and the achievement of climate targets through the use of optical and photonic measurement and energy systems. The programme comprises four lines of development: the first focuses on sensors for hydrogen chains, including leak detection and safety in production, storage and transport. The second line concerns new photovoltaic (PV) techniques with pilot plants for cost-effective solar energy. The third line focuses on remote sensing via optical satellite instruments for global emission and ecosystem monitoring, and the fourth on smart lighting systems with integrated sensors for energy saving and environmental sensing.

Across all lines, OSIP technology is being taken from the concept phase to industrial pilots, enabling processes such as licensing, infrastructure monitoring and emission reduction to be carried out more quickly and reliably.

The expected impact consists of safe upscaling of hydrogen, improved monitoring of air and water quality, higher yields from solar energy, substantial energy savings through lighting, and reduced dependence on non-European technologies in critical energy value chains.

This Programme supports the development of safe and efficient autonomous vehicles, drones and robots with OSIP sensors and communication. Work is being done on three pillars. The first pillar concerns LiDAR-on-chip: compact, robust and cost-efficient solutions based on the integration of lasers, beam steering and detectors on a single photonic chip. The second focuses on optical interconnects and communication in vehicles for energy-efficient high-speed data transfer. The third pillar encompasses micro-LED data transmission for extremely fast short-range links in ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and robotics. Supporting research into packaging and photonics-electronics integration is being conducted to ensure reliability under vibrations and temperature fluctuations. Prototypes and demonstrators are being tested in operational environments and transferred to standards and industrial pilots.

The expected impact is a strengthened Dutch position in autonomous mobility and robotics, the development of new products for automotive, logistics and defence, and reduced dependence on key foreign components.

In addition to the areas of application, seven long-term research PPPs are being carried out, in TRL phases 1 to 4, which feed into all Innovation Programmes. These focus on the development of generic technological building blocks that can be widely used within OSIP.

The lines of research include advanced optical sensor technology such as photoacoustics and fibre Bragg, new components including meta-optics and GRIN optics, and innovative design principles. These include inverse design, next-gen light sources and detectors such as broadband lasers and single-photon sources, computational optics and digital design tools, photonics-based AI chips, and heterogeneous integration for powerful, scalable PIC platforms.

These lines of research strengthen the knowledge base, accelerate miniaturisation and manufacturability, and help the Netherlands remain at the forefront of future OSIP generations. The expected impact is a continuous supply of breakthrough technologies to the fields of application, strengthening of the international competitive position, and greater valorisation through start-ups, scale-ups, and industrial partners.