Imec and TNO have officially launched the Holst Centre Photonics Lab, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to integrated photonics research and development in the Netherlands. By advancing photonics research and fostering collaboration between industry and academia, the lab aims to bridge the gap between innovation and industrialization for applications in sectors such as automotive, healthcare, and data communications. The new lab is located at High Tech Campus Eindhoven and partly funded by PhotonDelta.
Accelerating photonics innovation
The launch of the Holst Centre Photonics Lab marks an important milestone in the Netherlands’ commitment to integrated photonics innovation. Building on the PhotonDelta National Growth Fund, which has been stimulating R&D in integrated photonics in the Netherlands for over 2.5 years, the lab lays a solid foundation for groundbreaking research and aims to foster strategic collaboration between industry and academia.
“A dedicated R&D centre such as the Holst Centre Photonics Lab is an important proof point that integrated photonics is developing into a key technology. It provides the essential infrastructure to accelerate the development and implementation of photonic chip-based applications, a crucial step from innovation to market-ready solutions,” said Eelko Brinkhoff, CEO of PhotonDelta.
By combining imec’s expertise in tape-out validation, on-chip laser development, system testing and application validation with TNO’s strengths in laser characterization, free-space optics and photonic chip integration, the lab brings together complementary expertise across the entire innovation chain. By enabling close collaboration, from early research to practical applications, this partnership will take photonics R&D in the Netherlands to the next level.
“With this lab, we are taking an important step in strengthening the Dutch integrated photonics ecosystem. By combining our complementary expertise with that of TNO and working closely with PhotonDelta, we hope to create an environment in which photonics innovations can be brought from lab to market more effectively,” says Jesse Robbers, director imec at Holst Centre.
Strengthening the Dutch photonics ecosystem
Integrated photonics is at the heart of a wide range of emerging applications, from LiDAR in autonomous vehicles and non-invasive medical diagnostics to ultra-fast data communications and environmental sensing. The Holst Centre Photonics Lab provides the infrastructure needed to stimulate innovation in technologies such as connectivity and quantum technology, and in sectors such as healthcare, agri-food, data communications and automotive.
"The Holst Centre Photonics Lab illustrates how strategic funding and collaboration can accelerate innovation in photonics and strengthen the Netherlands' position as a global leader in this field," says Ton van Mol, Director TNO at Holst Centre.