<p>Modern communication networks rely on optical signals to transfer vast amounts of data. But just like a weak radio signal, these optical signals need to be amplified to travel long distances without losing information. The most common amplifiers, erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), have served this purpose for decades, enabling longer transmission distances without the need for frequent signal regeneration. However, they operate within a limited spectral bandwidth, restricting the expansion of optical networks.</p><p>To meet the growing demand for high-speed data transmission, researchers have been seeking ways to develop more powerful, flexible, and compact amplifiers. Even though AI accelerators, data centers, and high-performance computing systems handle ever-increasing amounts of data, the limitations of existing optical amplifiers are becoming more evident.</p><p>The need for ultra-broadband amplification — amplifiers that work across a wider range of wavelengths — is more pressing than ever. Existing solutions, such as Raman amplifiers, offer some improvement, but they are still too complex and energy hungry.</p><p>Now, researchers led by Tobias Kippenberg at EPFL and Paul Seidler at IBM Research Europe – Zurich have developed a photonic-chip-based traveling-wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) that achieves ultra-broadband signal amplification in an unprecedentedly compact form. Using gallium phosphide-on-silicon dioxide technology, the new amplifier attains a net gain of over 10 dB across a bandwidth of approximately 140 nm — three times wider than a conventional C-band EDFA.</p><p>Most amplifiers rely on rare-earth elements to strengthen signals. Instead, the new amplifier uses optical nonlinearity — a property where light interacts with a material to amplify itself. By carefully designing a tiny spiral waveguide, the researchers created a space where light waves reinforce each other, boosting weak signals while keeping noise low. This method not only makes the amplifier more efficient but also allows it to work across a much broader range of wavelengths, all within a compact, chip-sized device.</p><p>The team chose gallium phosphide because of its exceptional optical properties. First, it exhibits strong optical nonlinearity, which means that light waves passing through it can interact in a way that boosts signal strength. Second, it has a high refractive index, which allows light to be confined tightly within the waveguide, leading to more efficient amplification. By using gallium phosphide, the scientists achieved high gain with a waveguide only a few centimeters long , significantly reducing the amplifier’s footprint and making it practical for next-generation optical communication systems.</p><p>The researchers demonstrated that their chip-based amplifier could achieve up to 35 dB of gain while keeping the noise low. Additionally, remarkably weak signals could be amplified, with the amplifier handling input powers ranging over six orders of magnitude. These features make the new amplifier highly adaptable to a variety of applications beyond telecommunications, such as precision sensing</p><p>The amplifier also enhanced the performance of optical frequency combs and coherent communication signals — two key technologies in modern optical networks and photonics — showing that such photonic integrated circuits can surpass traditional fiber-based amplification systems.</p><p>The new amplifier has far-reaching implications for the future of data centers, AI processors, and high-performance computing systems, all of which can benefit from faster, more efficient data transfer. And the applications extend beyond data transmission, to optical sensing, metrology, and even LiDAR systems used in self-driving vehicles.</p><p><strong>Other contributors</strong></p><ul><li>EPFL Center of Quantum Science and Engineering</li><li>IBM Research Europe – Zurich</li></ul><hr /><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>Kuznetsov, N., Nardi, A., Riemensberger, J., Davydova, A., Churaev, M., Seidler, P., Kippenberg, T. J. An ultra-broadband photonic-chip-based traveling-wave parametric amplifier. Nature 12 March 2025. DOI: <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08666-z" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10.1038/s41586-025-08666-z</a></p>

A gallium phosphide photonic chip featuring multiple spiral waveguides and other test structures. Credit: Nikolai Kuznetsov (EPFL)

Scientists at EPFL and IBM Research have developed a compact optical amplifier based on a photonic chip that vastly outperforms traditional optical amplifiers in both bandwidth and efficiency. This breakthrough could reshape data center interconnects, AI accelerators, and high-performance computing.

Ultra-broadband photonic chip boosts optical signals

<p>The Photonics Innovation Awards is an exciting new initiative by Hamamatsu Photonics. The awards seek to recognize and support groundbreaking ideas that harness the power of light, driving innovation across various industries. </p><p>To learn more about the award, Luigi Ghezzi, Technical Marketing Engineer at Hamamatsu, shared insights into the awards creation and the impact they aim to have on the world of photonics. In the interview below, we delve into Hamamatsu's motivations, goals, and future visions for this industry's important accolade.</p><p><a href="https://www.hamamatsu-news.de/promo/24_photonics_innovation_award/">Learn more about the award here.</a></p><h2>About the Awards</h2><h3>What inspired Hamamatsu to create the Photonics Innovation Awards, and what goals do you hope to achieve with this initiative?</h3><p><strong>Luigi Ghezzi: </strong>Our company history inspired us to create this Photonics Innovation Awards. Both Photonics and Innovation are two pillars of Hamamatsu Photonics. We have been developing and producing<a href="https://www.hamamatsu.com/eu/en/product/optical-components.html"> optoelectronic components </a>for more than 70 years. We re-invest at least 6% of our yearly revenue into research and development, and we are proud to have contributed, with our products, to <a href="https://www.hamamatsu.com/jp/en/our-company/history.html">3 Nobel Prize-winning research.</a></p><h3>Why is now the right time to launch an awards program focused on photonics innovation?</h3><p>Light has always been an essential part of our lives, but never before have we harnessed and utilized it as extensively as we do today. Many everyday actions and operations—often taken for granted—are made possible by photonics. Beyond the undeniable impact of smartphones, photonics underpins vital advancements in telecommunications that connect the world, breakthroughs in medical diagnostics and treatments, including precise surgical interventions, and significant progress in industrial applications. And this list barely scratches the surface.</p><p>Photonics is also expanding into emerging fields such as agriculture, offering innovative solutions, and it plays a pivotal role in what many call the next scientific revolution: Quantum Optics.</p><p>With such immense potential, there has never been a better time to inspire, support, and explore all possible innovations in the field of photonics. The opportunities are vast, and the future is brighter than ever.</p><p><span><span><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzQwMDUyNjI5NTYyLTJiX0hhbV9Ud28tcGhvdG9uX2V4Y2l0YXRpb25fZmx1b3Jlc2NlbmNlX21pY3Jvc2NvcGUuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /><span>Hamamatsu Photonics Succeeds in Creating a Technology that Upgrades the Spatial Resolution of Two-photon Excitation Fluorescence Microscopy.</span></span></span></p><h1 id="isPasted">Participants and Eligibility</h1><h3>What qualities or attributes are you seeking in the proposals, and what distinguishes an award-winning idea?</h3><p>The aim of the Awards is to leverage advanced photonics technology by developing a project that addresses real-world challenges. We will evaluate different criteria such as innovation, relevance and impact of the idea. Still, we will also evaluate the quality of the material submitted, the feasibility and the potential market of the project.</p><h3>Can you elaborate on why the Awards are open to such a broad audience, including start-ups, OEMs, and established industry players?</h3><p>Ideas are good regardless of their origin. Our customer portfolio is very diverse and includes both researchers and start-ups but also OEMs or established industrial players to whom we offer not only customized solutions but also full support for the integration and use of our products. For this reason, it was natural to offer the possibility of participating in this competition to a broad audience.</p><p><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/calling-all-photonics-innovators-launch-of-the-photonics-innovation-awards-2025"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzQwMDUyNjgyNzE2LTJkX0hhbV9XV19hcnRpY2xlX1BJQV8xMjAweDY3OCAoMSkuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></a></p><h2 id="isPasted">Focus Areas and Themes</h2><h3>What critical challenges do you hope applicants will address, such as sustainability or healthcare solutions, and why are these areas particularly relevant?</h3><p>Our mission is to benefit society by developing technologies that capture, measure, and generate various types of light. For this reason, we did not want to create specific categories or direct the competition towards particular areas of interest, as we think, “light is possibility itself”. </p><p>We are committed to creating meaningful benefits for the community through our products. </p><p>That’s why we value all ideas related to projects that aim to generate added value. Sometimes, however, this added value might not be immediately apparent. </p><p>Take autonomous driving as an example—while it may not initially seem like a community benefit, its potential to reduce accidents, alleviate stress, and optimize resource consumption makes it a transformative technology that can significantly enhance people’s lives.</p><p>Therefore, we encourage people to submit applications, regardless of the sector or area of focus. What truly matters is the strength of an idea and its potential impact on the community.</p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzQwMDUyNzA5MzM2LTJjX0hhbV9XV19hcnRpY2xlX1BJQV8xMjAweDY3OCAoMSkuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></p><h3 id="isPasted">Are there specific industries or applications you anticipate will dominate the submissions, or are you aiming for a diverse range of innovations?</h3><p>The presence of our products in various fields and applications shows us how photonics is everywhere, so we expect that the ideas will also be applied in different markets and applications without a predominant theme.</p><h2>The Prize and Benefits</h2><h3>How does Hamamatsu’s Pilot Line service support the winners, and what advantages does it offer for developing their innovations?</h3><p>As previously mentioned, we are interested not only in the idea but in the project in general. Through Hamamatsu's Pilot Line service, we can provide not only the technical feasibility of the project but also our support for the development of the entire project. For example, we can help customers identify the right business model or identify any necessary partners. By participating in the Photonics Innovation Awards, the project will have a direct access point to the evaluation for the Pilot Line service.</p><h3>Aside from the €10,000 cash prize, what does the one-year promotional support entail, and how will it help winners gain global recognition?</h3><p>This depends on the idea and collaboration of the winners, but we would surely include it within our communication on social media and newsletters, external media, or similar. Another possibility, in addition, could be to join at shows, exhibitions or conferences in the Hamamatsu booth.</p><h2>Vision and Long-Term Impact</h2><h3>What impact do you hope the Photonics Innovation Awards will have on the photonics industry?</h3><p>We believe there are countless innovative ideas in the field of photonics that remain undiscovered—stowed away in the minds or drawers of their inventors due to a lack of time, funding, or opportunities. We aim to support these ideas and provide them with the platform and resources needed to bring them to life.</p><p>Moreover, we aim to inspire the creation of even more groundbreaking concepts, encourage fresh approaches, and drive solutions to unresolved challenges using the immense potential of photonics.</p><h3>How do you envision the Awards evolving in future years, and what role do you see Hamamatsu playing in fostering photonics innovation globally?</h3><p>This is the first edition of the Photonics Innovation Awards, but our vision is that it becomes a regular event with a frequency yet to be defined.</p><p>Our idea is that through these initiatives, such as the Awards and the Hamamatsu Pilot Line service, combined with the merits that our customers already recognize in us and the quality of our products, Hamamatsu can continue to lead innovation in the field of Photonics, to be able to put its potential even more at the service of the community.</p><h3>Is there anything else you’d like to cover that we have not already mentioned here?</h3><p>History is full of examples of ideas that seemed like failures and then turned out to be brilliant and often, an outside perspective can be needed to help them come to fruition, so I hope that my answers have encouraged people to want to participate in the Photonics Awards. Regardless of whether you participate, I look forward to seeing as many of you at the award ceremony, which will be held at the Laser Show 2025 in Munich. </p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzQwMDUyNTg0NTg5LTJlX0hhbV9MV1AgKDEpLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></p><p>Please follow our website or <a href="https://www.hamamatsu.com/eu/en/resources/newsletter-subscription.html">sign up for our newsletter </a>to stay updated on the award ceremony and all the news regarding Hamamatsu Photonics.</p><h2 id="isPasted">Award detail summary</h2><ul><li><p>Prize: Winners will be celebrated at the prestigious Laser World of Photonics 2025 event in Munich, where they will receive a €10,000 cash prize and one year of promotional support and access the Hamamatsu’s Pilot Line service to propel their project into the global spotlight.</p></li><li><p>Audience: Open to all engineers, researchers, OEMs, hardware manufacturers, startups/scale-ups, research teams, and students working on innovative PIC applications.</p></li><li><p>End date: <a href="https://www.hamamatsu-news.de/promo/24_photonics_innovation_award/">Submit your application</a> by April 8, 2025, and join the ranks of photonics pioneers.</p></li></ul>

In the following interview, Luigi Ghezzi, Technical Marketing Engineer at Hamamatsu, offers a detailed look into the establishment of their innovation awards and the company's aspirations, objectives, and future plans for this significant industry honor.

Shining a Light on Innovation: Luigi Ghezzi Discusses the Inaugural Photonics Innovation Awards 2025

In this episode, we explore how porous plastic sheets are being used to cool buildings by radiating heat into space and how this could reduce global energy consumption by 10% and CO2 emission by 7%.

Podcast: Cooling Buildings With Porous Plastic Sheets

<p><a href="https://www.hamamatsu-news.de/promo/24_photonics_innovation_award/">The Photonics Innovation Awards 2025</a> is a critical industry event celebrating cutting-edge advancements and innovation in the field of photonics. As engineers continue to push the boundaries of what's possible with light, these awards created by Hamamatsu Photonics shine a spotlight on those who drive innovation and inspire the photonics industry.</p><h2>Overview of the Competition</h2><p>The Photonics Innovation Awards 2025 invite a diverse group of participants ranging from nimble startups and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to established industry leaders. This year’s award is open to projects that advance the field of photonics, from environmental sustainability to advanced healthcare solutions. </p><h2><br />Participation Details</h2><p>Whether you are a start-up, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), or an established player in the industry, this is your opportunity to address critical challenges and make a lasting impact. Hamamatsu Photonics invites visionary minds to submit proposals that leverage photonics to tackle today’s pressing issues. </p><p>Entrants must meet specific criteria outlined in the application guidelines, accessible through the <a href="https://www.hamamatsu-news.de/promo/24_photonics_innovation_award/">official award website. </a>The process is designed to be transparent and fair, ensuring that the best innovations rise to the top. Please note, the deadline for applications is May 8, 2025. We encourage all innovators in the photonics field to apply and showcase their groundbreaking work.</p><h2><strong>Benefits for Winners</strong></h2><p>Winning the Photonics Innovation Awards brings numerous advantages. Winners will receive a €10,000 prize to further support their projects, one year of promotional support to enhance their market visibility, and the unique opportunity to collaborate with Hamamatsu’s esteemed Pilot Line service. This collaboration aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of promising photonics technologies.</p><p><a href="https://www.hamamatsu-news.de/promo/24_photonics_innovation_award/"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzQwMDUxNzAxOTgyLTJkX0hhbV9XV19hcnRpY2xlX1BJQV8xMjAweDY3OCAoMSkuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></a></p><h2>Event Details</h2><p>The awards ceremony promises to highlight the Laser World of Photonics 2025, set to take place in Munich. This prestigious event will gather industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders, providing a perfect backdrop to celebrate the achievements of our brightest minds.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>The Photonics Innovation Awards 2025 are more than just a competition; they are a celebration of the spirit of innovation and a testament to the potential of photonics technology. Hamamatsu is excited to see new ideas and developments that will continue to advance photonics and create products and solutions that enable a more sustainable, safe, and innovative world.</p><h2>Are you ready to innovate?</h2><p>Are you ready to be a part of this exciting event? Visit the <a href="https://www.hamamatsu-news.de/promo/24_photonics_innovation_award/">award's official website</a> for more details and to submit your application. Join in driving the future of photonics, and let your innovation be recognized and celebrated at the Photonics Innovation Awards 2025.</p><h2>Learn more</h2><p><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/hamamatsu.photonics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more about Hamamatsu Photonics.</a></p><p><br /></p>

The Photonics Innovation Awards 2025 invites a diverse group of participants ranging from nimble startups and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to established industry leaders. 

Calling All Photonics Innovators: Launch of the Photonics Innovation Awards 2025

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">With less than one month left before the submission deadline, the Global Photonics Engineering Contest hosted on Wevolver, by PhotonDelta, is showcasing promising innovations in photonic integrated circuits (PICs)—a technology revolutionizing industries from healthcare to artificial intelligence.</p><p dir="ltr">This contest isn't just about competition—it's about impact. As industries face mounting challenges, from energy consumption to food security, integrated photonics is emerging as a game-changing solution. In this article, we explore some of the most promising entries from the challenge, examine how they align with broader industry trends, and highlight why now is the time for engineers to push the boundaries of what’s possible with light.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Global Photonics Engineering Contest</h2><h2><p dir="ltr"><br></p></h2><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>Prize:</strong> €50,000 worth of services from the PhotonDelta ecosystem to make your idea market-ready + a chance to receive up to €2 million in pre-seed funding.</li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Audience:</strong> Open to all engineers, researchers, OEMs, hardware manufacturers, startups/scale-ups, research teams, and students working on innovative PIC applications.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Bonus:</strong> All participants will receive free 3-month access to <a href="https://www.lucedaphotonics.com/luceda-photonics-design-platform" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Luceda IPKISS software</a>, along with access to Luceda's tools and support channel.</li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>End date:</strong> March 3rd 2025</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" class="button-main-action">ENTER THE CHALLENGE NOW</a></p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h2 dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Challenge: Spotlight on Pioneering Submissions</h2><p dir="ltr">As industries rush to adopt faster, more energy-efficient technologies, integrated photonics is proving to be the key. Some of this contest’s entries are tackling major global challenges, from chronic disease management to AI’s growing computational demands. Below, we highlight three standout projects, diving into how they’re leveraging integrated photonics and why this matters for their respective industries.</p><h2 dir="ltr">InnoPIC: Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring with Raman Spectroscopy and SPAD Arrays</h2><p dir="ltr"><strong>Industry:&nbsp;</strong>Healthcare &amp; Medical Devices<br><strong>Team Lead:</strong> Omer Cheema (Eindhoven, Netherlands)</p><h3 dir="ltr">The Challenge:</h3><p dir="ltr">Diabetes affects over 540 million people worldwide, yet traditional glucose monitoring methods are invasive, costly, and sometimes inaccurate. Current continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems rely on subcutaneous sensors that require frequent replacements, making them inaccessible for many.</p><h3 dir="ltr">The Innovation:</h3><p dir="ltr">InnoPIC’s wearable device combines Raman spectroscopy—a powerful molecular analysis tool—with single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) to amplify weak optical signals. A proprietary AI-driven noise-filtering algorithm ensures precise, pain-free glucose monitoring in real-time.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Technical Edge:</h3><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">SPAD Arrays:&nbsp;Enhance Raman signal sensitivity to detect glucose at the molecular level.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Noise Reduction: Hybrid electronic-photonic filtering minimizes environmental interference.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">AI Integration: Adjusts for individual skin composition differences.</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 823px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1739267034914-1739267034914.png" width="602" height="327" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><span class="fr-inner">Blog Diagram provided by Omar Cheema</span></span></span></p><h3 dir="ltr">Why Photonics Matters in Healthcare</h3><p dir="ltr">The healthcare industry is experiencing a transformation thanks to advancements in photonics, which facilitate low-cost, non-invasive diagnostics. Light-based technologies, ranging from wearable biosensors to portable medical imaging devices, are enhancing access to healthcare while reducing the dependence on expensive hospital equipment. If successful, InnoPIC could eliminate painful finger-prick tests and greatly enhance diabetes management for millions of people.</p><h2 dir="ltr">NeuroCore: Photonic Neural Network Accelerators for AI</h2><p dir="ltr"><strong>Industry:&nbsp;</strong>Artificial Intelligence &amp; High-Performance Computing<br><strong>Team Lead:</strong> Marc Soss (California, USA)</p><h3 dir="ltr">The Challenge:</h3><p dir="ltr">AI models are growing at an exponential rate, requiring trillions of multiply-accumulate (MAC) operations. Today’s GPUs and TPUs consume massive amounts of energy, with data centers accounting for ~1.5% of global electricity use—a number that’s rapidly rising.</p><h3 dir="ltr">The Innovation:</h3><p dir="ltr">NeuroCore replaces power-hungry electronic transistors with optical components, enabling energy-efficient AI computing. Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) and waveguides perform matrix multiplications using light, drastically reducing power consumption while increasing computational speed.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Technical Edge:</h3><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Interference-Based Computing:&nbsp;Optical phase modulation accelerates AI workloads.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Thermal Management: PICs generate far less heat than silicon-based alternatives.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Scalability: Integration with existing CMOS fabrication processes.</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 823px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1739267034521-1739267034521.png" width="602" height="137" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><span class="fr-inner">Blog Diagram provided by Marc Soss</span></span></span></p><h3 dir="ltr">Why Photonics Matters in AI</h3><p dir="ltr">With AI workloads skyrocketing, energy efficiency is the biggest bottleneck. Photonic computing could be the breakthrough the industry needs, offering high-speed, low-power alternatives to traditional electronics. Whether it’s autonomous vehicles, real-time medical imaging, or AI-driven research, NeuroCore’s technology has the potential to reshape the future of computing.</p><h2 dir="ltr">IPSA: Integrated Photonic Smart Soil Analyzer</h2><p dir="ltr"><strong>Industry:</strong> Agriculture &amp; Environmental Sustainability<br><strong>Team Lead:</strong> Jatinkumar Parmar (Surat, India)</p><h3 dir="ltr">The Challenge:</h3><p dir="ltr">By 2050, global food production must increase by 70% to sustain a growing population. However, over-fertilization and soil degradation already cost farmers $400 billion annually, damaging ecosystems and reducing yields.</p><h3 dir="ltr">The Innovation:</h3><p dir="ltr">IPSA is a real-time soil analysis device that uses multi-wavelength spectroscopy (NIR/MIR) to assess soil health. Integrated waveguides and spectral filters isolate nutrient signatures, while machine learning algorithms provide actionable insights for irrigation and fertilization.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Technical Edge:</h3><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Multi-Parameter Sensing:&nbsp;Simultaneously measures NPK levels, pH, moisture, and contaminants.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Energy Efficiency: Solar-powered, making it ideal for off-grid deployment.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">IoT Integration: Wireless connectivity supports precision agriculture at scale.</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 823px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1739267034701-1739267034701.png" width="363" height="563.9945068193016" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><span class="fr-inner">Blog Diagram provided by Jatinkumar Parmar</span></span></span></p><h3 dir="ltr">Why Photonics Matters in Agriculture</h3><p dir="ltr">Photonics is radically improving agriculture by enabling smart farming techniques. Optical sensors are helping reduce fertilizer waste, optimize irrigation, and enhance crop health, making food production more sustainable. IPSA’s technology could help reduce chemical runoff, conserve water, and improve yields—offering a vital solution for global food security.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Final Countdown: Less than One Month Left to Submit</h2><p dir="ltr">The deadline is approaching fast. To participate:<br><strong>- Review the Guidelines:</strong> Ensure your project meets the technical and industry criteria.<br><strong>- Highlight Innovation:</strong> Show how your design advances the current state of the art.<br><strong>- Demonstrate Impact:</strong> Quantify potential benefits—energy saved, costs reduced, lives improved.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1739267518287-Boarding+Pass+Challenge.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a></p><p dir="ltr">Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of photonics experts, with winners receiving editorial coverage on Wevolver and opportunities to connect with industry leaders.</p><ul><li dir="ltr" id="isPasted"><strong>Prize:</strong> €50,000 worth of services from the PhotonDelta ecosystem to make your idea market-ready + a chance to receive up to €2 million in pre-seed funding.</li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Audience:</strong> Open to all engineers, researchers, OEMs, hardware manufacturers, startups/scale-ups, research teams, and students working on innovative PIC applications.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Bonus:</strong> All participants will receive free 3-month access to <a href="https://www.lucedaphotonics.com/luceda-photonics-design-platform" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Luceda IPKISS software</a>, along with access to Luceda's tools and support channel.</li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>End date:</strong> March 3rd 2025</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest" class="button-main-action">ENTER THE CHALLENGE NOW</a></p><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Read more about integrated photonics and get tips on your entry from a jury member:</h2><h1 id="isPasted"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-role-of-photonic-integrated-circuits-breaking-into-the-industry-and-crafting-a-winning-submission" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Role of Photonic Integrated Circuits, Breaking into the Industry, and Crafting a Winning Submission</a></h1><h1 id="isPasted"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/tips-and-insights-from-the-global-photonics-engineering-contest-jury" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tips and Insights from the Global Photonics Engineering Contest Jury</a></h1>

The future is being built with light, and engineers around the world are leading the change. 


Global Photonics Engineering Contest: Highlighting Innovations and the Race to the Deadline

<p id="isPasted">This article was discussed in our <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/cbbca29e-41f6-4d45-9703-e21146c60308?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></span><br></p><p>The full article will continue below.</p><hr><p id="isPasted">Traditional cooling systems for buildings use refrigerants and electricity, which contribute to the atmospheric greenhouse effect that exacerbates more extreme weather events. In response, materials scientists have turned to unconventional methods for cooling down buildings. An international team of researchers co-led by <a href="https://www.esm.psu.edu/department/directory-detail-g.aspx?q=AXL4" target="_blank">Akhlesh Lakhtakia</a>, Penn State Evan Pugh University Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics, developed porous plastic sheets that can lower building temperatures through radiative cooling. &nbsp;</p><p>When applied to an enclosed space, the sheets, which are made of powdered polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and are about one-twelfth of an inch thick, can decrease the temperature of an enclosed space by 8.4 degrees Celsius, or about 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Researchers published their findings in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/admt.202400713" target="_blank">Advanced Materials Technologies</a>. &nbsp;</p><p>“While other passive radiators reflect short-wave infrared light back into space, our passive radiator reflects both visible light and short-wave infrared light, which results in high daytime cooling,” Lakhtakia said. “The sheets would be an inexpensive, effective addition to homeowners’ siding and roofs to passively cool down a home and to supplement air conditioning units.” &nbsp;</p><p>To fabricate the sheets, Lakhtakia’s collaborators at the Dalian University of Technology in China used one-step powder sintering to fuse the PMMA powder into flat sheets with various sizes of air pockets, or pores, within them. Like the pores in our skin, the pores in the PMMA sheets cause light to scatter and radiate at different angles, thereby cooling down interior spaces. At night, the porous sheets radiate medium-wave infrared light through the atmosphere into deep space, again cooling down interior spaces.&nbsp;</p><p>“Powder sintering is a powerful method to prepare the porous materials with desired porosity and superior macroscopic properties,” said corresponding author Mingkai Lei, professor of materials science and engineering at the Dalian University of Technology. “We look forward to working with Lakhtakia and Penn State on additional applications of the material.” &nbsp;</p><p>To test the materials, Lakhtakia’s collaborators created a box out of the porous PMMA sheets, placed a thermometer within the box, then placed it in the sun and measured the temperature. By reflecting, on average, 96% of infrared and visible light, the porous PMMA sheets cooled down the sunny 80 degree Fahrenheit outdoor air temperature to 65.3 degrees Fahrenheit inside the box. By contrast, an ordinary cardboard box with the same dimensions cooled down the space to 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 832px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzM4ODAzMjM2Mzk4LTI0MDY0MC1wc24tcG93ZGVyc2ludGVyaW5ncGFwZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">By radiating 96% of all light – both infrared and visible –<em id="isPasted">&nbsp;</em>polymer sheets can cool an 80 degree Fahrenheit outdoor air temperature to 65.3 degrees Fahrenheit inside the box, seen at right. By contrast, an ordinary cardboard box with the same dimensions cooled down the space to 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit, seen at left. <span data-testid="credit">Credit: Provided by Yupeng Li/Dalian University of Technology . All Rights Reserved.</span></span></span></span></p><p id="isPasted">They then repeated the experiment in the lab, using a solar simulator in place of the sun, which allowed the researchers to control for conditions like wind. Since room temperature has a significantly higher temperature than cold outer space, the radiative cooling effect was lessened inside the lab than in open air. &nbsp;</p><p>When exposed to the sun on a building, the PMMA sheets will degrade after a few years and lose their effectiveness, Lakhtakia said, but he envisions new businesses starting up to install and replace them, in turn creating new jobs in communities. &nbsp;</p><p>“The sheets can be easily ground up, recycled and powder sintered on an industrial scale to reuse on another building,” Lakhtakia said. “The passive daytime cooling requires no energy or electricity and can be applied to buildings in communities experiencing increased daytime temperatures year over year due to climate change.”&nbsp;</p><p>In addition to Lakhtakia and Lei, the co-authors include first author Yupeng Li, Hui Zhao, Xiangren Meng, Yishu Zhao and Haodong Liu, all from the Dalian University of Technology.&nbsp;</p>

The PMMA sheets fabricated by materials science researchers are white and porous, making them a suitable material for covering buildings for passive daytime cooling. Credit: Provided by Yupeng Li/Dalian University of Technology. All Rights Reserved.

An international team of researchers co-led by Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Penn State Evan Pugh University Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics, developed porous plastic sheets that can lower building temperatures through radiative cooling. 

Porous plastic sheets can cool buildings by radiating light to space

In this episode, we explore how tiny wireless antennas use light to monitor cellular communication with groundbreaking precision.

Podcast: Tiny Antennas for Big Cellular Insights

<p>In an <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2413370121" id="isPasted">article</a> published Nov. 8 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a research team led by professor <a href="https://engineering.princeton.edu/faculty/glaucio-paulino">Glaucio Paulino</a> reported that they used strategic cutting and folding to turn a single sheet of paper into a metamaterial <em>—</em> a material that demonstrates unique properties based on form and geometry. An egg carton, which is stronger than a sheet of cardboard, is a simple example.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 832px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1737678371603-16X9-XiangxinDang-PNAS_121024_0023-1536x864.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">The structures are designed with a pattern of cuts and folds.</span></span></span></p><p id="isPasted">Paulino said the researchers used aspects of paper cutting, or kirigami, to transform a sheet of paper into a complex surface with a large number of holes, which mathematicians call a high-genus surface. The researchers then applied folding techniques based in origami to turn the paper into a three-dimensional structure. However, most of the work involved exploring the underlying mathematics behind the combined patterns of cuts and folds and working out algorithms that engineers can use to create metamaterials with desired properties.</p><p>“Combing the two disciplines is not as simple as cutting a piece of paper and folding it,” said Xiangxin Dang, a postdoctoral researcher in Paulino’s lab and the article’s lead author. “It involves a careful balance between the two ideas.”</p><p>Dang said the balance between the cuts and folds allows designers to create a network effect among shapes that are connected with hinges. This allows designers to create adjustable, three-dimensional structures that can be tailored to respond to outside forces like pressure. For example, a structure could be rigid in one direction and flexible in another. With a simple twist, the structure can alter flexibility as its geometry changes.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 832px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1737678388413-16X9-XiangxinDang-PNAS_121024_0038-1536x864.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Folded and unfolded structures.</span></span></span></p><p id="isPasted">Paulino said designers can create shapes that use the structure to introduce polarity <em>—</em> the ability to guide flow in one direction. Electric circuits are an example of polarity. But unlike electric circuits, the new metamaterial uses geometry rather than electromagnetic fields to generate polarity. With additional work, he said engineers could use the technique to create geometric circuits to guide sound.</p><p>“It’s just one piece, which makes it easier to work with and with less chance for mistakes in manufacturing,” said Paulino, the Margareta Engman Augustine Professor of Engineering. “By combining cuts and folds into high-genus surfaces, we can introduce polarity into an adjustable, folded structure. Eventually, this could be used for optics and semiconductors.”</p><p>Paulino said the patterns of cuts in the sheet before folding show a surprising lack of symmetry. To achieve the properly folded structure, “you have to break a lot of symmetry,” he said.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 832px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1737678405151-16X9-XiangxinDang-PNAS_121024_0029-1024x576.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">The pattern of holes is highly asymmetric.</span></span></span></p><p>The work grew out of an earlier experiment with a folding structure that did not work. But Paulino said the results pointed to an approach that led to the system that allowed the researchers to introduce polarity into the 3D structure. The ability to make informed mistakes, Paulino said, can be rewarding. “When you have an idea, most of the time it does not work,” Paulino said. “But sometimes, when you make a mistake, it generates something interesting.”</p><hr><p><em id="isPasted">The article, “<a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2413370121">Folding a single high-genus surface into a repertoire of metamaterial functionalities</a>,” was published Nov. 8 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Besides Paulino and Dang, the authors included Stefano Gonella, a professor of engineering at the University of Minnesota. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2420375121">commentary</a> by Zeb Rocklin also appeared in PNAS. Support for the research was provided in part by the National Science Foundation.</em></p>

Xiangxin Dang, a postdoctoral researcher, displays an adjustable structure made from a cardboard sheet. Photos by Sameer A. Khan/Fotobuddy

Combining insights from two ancient art forms, Princeton engineers used a single sheet of material to create 3D structures with adjustable flexibility that could guide sound and light to perform complex tasks.

With a single paper sheet, engineers make dancing structures that direct light and sound

<p id="isPasted">Physicists have spent more than a century measuring and making sense of the strange ways that photons, electrons, and other subatomic particles interact at extremely small scales. Engineers have spent decades figuring out how to take advantage of these phenomena to create new technologies.</p><p>In one such phenomenon, called quantum entanglement, pairs of photons become interconnected in such a way that the state of one photon instantly changes to match the state of its paired photon, no matter how far apart they are.&nbsp;</p><p>Nearly 80 years ago, Albert Einstein referred to this phenomenon as "spooky action at a distance." Today, entanglement is the subject of research programs across the world — and it’s becoming a favored way to implement the most fundamental form of quantum information, the qubit.&nbsp;</p><p>Currently, the most efficient way to create photon pairs requires sending lightwaves through a crystal large enough to see without a microscope. In a paper published today in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-024-01602-z">Nature Photonics</a>, a team led by <a href="https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/">Columbia Engineering</a> researchers and collaborators, describe a new method for creating these photon pairs that achieves higher performance on a much smaller device using less energy. <a href="https://www.me.columbia.edu/faculty/p-james-schuck">P. James Schuck</a>, associate professor of <a href="https://www.me.columbia.edu/">mechanical engineering</a> at Columbia Engineering, helped lead the research team.</p><p>These findings represent a significant step forward in the field of nonlinear optics, which is concerned with using technologies to change the properties of light for applications including lasers, telecommunications, and laboratory equipment.&nbsp;</p><p>“This work represents the embodiment of the long-sought goal of bridging macroscopic and microscopic nonlinear and quantum optics,” says Schuck, who co-directs Columbia's MS in <a href="https://quantum.engineering.columbia.edu/">Quantum Science and Technology</a>. “It provides the foundation for scalable, highly efficient on-chip integrable devices such as tunable microscopic entangled-photon-pair generators.”&nbsp;</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 832px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1737397833229-video-placeholder-schuck-lab-1264x711.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Study authors P. James Schuck (left) and Chiara Trovatello from the Schuck lab at Columbia Engineering. Credit: Jane Nisselson/Columbia Engineering</span></span></span></p><h2 id="isPasted">How it works</h2><p>Measuring just 3.4 micrometers thick, the new device points to a future where this important component of many quantum systems can fit onto a silicon chip. This change would enable significant gains in the energy efficiency and overall technical capabilities of quantum devices.</p><p>To create the device, the researchers used thin crystals of a so-called van der Waals semiconducting transition metal called molybdenum disulfide. Then they layered six of these crystal pieces into a stack, with each piece rotated 180 degrees relative to the crystal slabs above and below. As light travels through this stack, a phenomenon called quasi-phase-matching manipulates properties of the light, enabling the creation of paired photons.</p><p>This paper represents the first time that quasi-phase-matching in any van der Waals material has been used to generate photon pairs at wavelengths that are useful for telecommunications. The technique is significantly more efficient than previous methods and far less prone to error.&nbsp;</p><p>“We believe this breakthrough will establish van der Waals materials as the core of next-generation nonlinear and quantum photonic architectures, with them being ideal candidates for enabling all future on-chip technologies and replacing current bulk and periodically poled crystals,” Schuck says.&nbsp;</p><p>“These innovations will have an immediate impact in diverse areas including satellite-based distribution and mobile phone quantum communication.”&nbsp;</p><h2>How it happened</h2><p>Schuck and his team built on their previous work to develop the new device. In 2022, the group demonstrated that materials like molybdenum disulfide possess useful properties for nonlinear optics — but performance was limited by the tendency of light waves to interfere with one another while traveling through this material.</p><p>The team turned to a technique called periodic poling to counteract this problem, which is known as phase matching. By alternating the direction of the slabs in the stack, the device manipulates light in a way that enables photon pair generation at miniscule length scales.&nbsp;</p><p>“Once we understood how amazing this material was, we knew we had to pursue the periodic poling, which could allow for the highly efficient generation of photon pairs,” Schuck says.</p><p>This work occurred within&nbsp;<a href="https://quantum-materials.columbia.edu/">Programmable Quantum Materials</a>, a Department of Energy energy frontier research center (EFRC) at Columbia, as part of a larger effort to understand and exploit quantum materials. This work was possible due to contributions from the&nbsp;<a href="https://infrared.cni.columbia.edu/">Baso</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.delor-labs.com/">Delor</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://deanlab.physics.columbia.edu/">Dean</a> labs. Postdoctoral researcher&nbsp;<a href="https://nanolight.me.columbia.edu/people/chiara-trovatello">Chiara Trovatello</a> led the effort.&nbsp;</p>

Schematic of entangled photons generated in a periodically poled stack of 3R-MoS2 crystals. Photo Credit: Ella Maru Studios

Researchers have developed a drastically smaller and more energy efficient method of creating coveted photon pairs that influence each other from any distance. The technology could transform computing, telecommunications, and sensing.

Engineering Quantum Entanglement at the Nanoscale

Agriculture must feed 10 billion people by 2050 while cutting emissions and waste. Integrated photonics offers a solution with advanced sensors for efficient, high-yield farming.

Integrated Photonics for AgriFood: A Roadmap for Sustainable Transformation

<p id="isPasted">This article was discussed in our <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/f1468a9e-3b5e-4bb2-a089-53a90f0a433c?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></span><br></p><p>The full article will continue below.</p><hr><p id="isPasted">Monitoring electrical signals in biological systems helps scientists understand how cells communicate, which can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like arrhythmia and Alzheimer’s.</p><p>But devices that record electrical signals in cell cultures and other liquid environments often use wires to connect each electrode on the device to its respective amplifier. Because only so many wires can be connected to the device, this restricts the number of recording sites, limiting the information that can be collected from cells.</p><p>MIT researchers have now developed a biosensing technique that eliminates the need for wires. Instead, tiny, wireless antennas use light to detect minute electrical signals.</p><p>Small electrical changes in the surrounding liquid environment alter how the antennas scatter the light. Using an array of tiny antennas, each of which is one-hundredth the width of a human hair, the researchers could measure electrical signals exchanged between cells, with extreme spatial resolution.</p><p>The devices, which are durable enough to continuously record signals for more than 10 hours, could help biologists understand how cells communicate in response to changes in their environment. In the long run, such scientific insights could pave the way for advancements in diagnosis, spur the development of targeted treatments, and enable more precision in the evaluation of new therapies.</p><p>“Being able to record the electrical activity of cells with high throughput and high resolution remains a real problem. We need to try some innovative ideas and alternate approaches,” says Benoît Desbiolles, a former postdoc in the MIT Media Lab and lead author of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr8380" target="_blank">a paper on the devices</a>.</p><p>He is joined on the paper by Jad Hanna, a visiting student in the Media Lab; former visiting student Raphael Ausilio; former postdoc Marta J. I. Airaghi Leccardi; Yang Yu, a scientist at Raith America, Inc.; and senior author Deblina Sarkar, the AT&amp;T Career Development Assistant Professor in the Media Lab and MIT Center for Neurobiological Engineering and head of the Nano-Cybernetic Biotrek Lab. The research appears today in <em>Science Advances</em>.</p><p>“Bioelectricity is fundamental to the functioning of cells and different life processes. However, recording such electrical signals precisely has been challenging,” says Sarkar. “The organic electro-scattering antennas (OCEANs) we developed enable recording of electrical signals wirelessly with micrometer spatial resolution from thousands of recording sites simultaneously. This can create unprecedented opportunities for understanding fundamental biology and altered signaling in diseased states as well as for screening the effect of different therapeutics to enable novel treatments.”</p><h2><strong>Biosensing with light</strong></h2><p>The researchers set out to design a biosensing device that didn’t need wires or amplifiers. Such a device would be easier to use for biologists who may not be familiar with electronic instruments.</p><p>“We wondered if we could make a device that converts the electrical signals to light and then use an optical microscope, the kind that is available in every biology lab, to probe these signals,” Desbiolles says.</p><p>Initially, they used a special polymer called PEDOT:PSS to design nanoscale transducers that incorporated tiny pieces of gold filament. Gold nanoparticles were supposed to scatter the light — a process that would be induced and modulated by the polymer. But the results weren’t matching up with their theoretical model.</p><p>The researchers tried removing the gold and, surprisingly, the results matched the model much more closely.</p><p>“It turns out we weren’t measuring signals from the gold, but from the polymer itself. This was a very surprising but exciting result. We built on that finding to develop organic electro-scattering antennas,” he says.</p><p>The&nbsp;organic electro-scattering antennas,&nbsp;or OCEANs, are composed of&nbsp;PEDOT:PSS. This polymer attracts or repulses positive ions from the surrounding liquid environment when there is electrical activity nearby. This modifies its chemical configuration and electronic structure, altering an optical property known as its refractive index, which changes how it scatters light.</p><p>When researchers shine light onto the antenna, the intensity of the light changes in proportion to the electrical signal present in the liquid.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 832px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1735259967015-ezgif-4-326702faf8.gif" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">The brightness of light scattered by the tiny antennas the researchers developed, called OCEANs, changes in response to changing electrical signals in the liquid environment that surrounds them, as shown here. By capturing and measuring the light with an optical microscope, researchers could decode the intricate signals used for cellular communication. Credit: Courtesy of the researchers</span></span></span></p><p id="isPasted">With thousands or even millions of tiny antennas in an array, each only 1 micrometer wide, the researchers can capture the scattered light with an optical microscope and measure electrical signals from cells with high resolution. Because each antenna is an independent sensor, the researchers do not need to pool the contribution of multiple antennas to monitor electrical signals, which is why OCEANs can detect signals with micrometer resolution.</p><p>Intended for in vitro<em>&nbsp;</em>studies, OCEAN arrays are designed to have cells cultured directly on top of them and put under an optical microscope for analysis.</p><h2><strong>“Growing” antennas on a chip</strong></h2><p>Key to the devices is the precision with which the researchers can fabricate arrays in the MIT.nano facilities.</p><p>They start with a glass substrate and deposit layers of conductive then insulating material on top, each of which is optically transparent. Then they use a focused ion beam to cut hundreds of nanoscale holes into the top layers of the device. This special type of focused ion beam enables high-throughput nanofabrication.</p><p>“This instrument is basically like a pen where you can etch anything with a 10-nanometer resolution,” he says.</p><p>They submerge the chip in a solution that contains the precursor building blocks for the polymer. By applying an electric current to the solution, that precursor material is attracted into the tiny holes on the chip, and mushroom-shaped antennas “grow” from the bottom up.</p><p>The entire fabrication process is relatively fast, and the researchers could use this technique to make a chip with millions of antennas.</p><p>“This technique could be easily adapted so it is fully scalable. The limiting factor is how many antennas we can image at the same time,” he says.</p><p>The researchers optimized the dimensions of the antennas and adjusted parameters, which enabled them to achieve high enough sensitivity to monitor signals with voltages as low as 2.5 millivolts in simulated experiments. Signals sent by neurons for communication are usually around 100 millivolts.</p><p>“Because we took the time to really dig in and understand the theoretical model behind this process, we can maximize the sensitivity of the antennas,” he says.</p><p>OCEANs also responded to changing signals in only a few milliseconds, enabling them to record electrical signals with fast kinetics. Moving forward, the researchers want to test the devices with real cell cultures. They also want to reshape the antennas so they can penetrate cell membranes, enabling more precise signal detection.</p><p>In addition, they want to study how OCEANs could be integrated into nanophotonic devices, which manipulate light at the nanoscale for next-generation sensors and optical devices.</p><p>This research is funded, in part, by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Research reported in this press release was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.</p>

To improve biosensing techniques that can aid in diagnosis and treatment, MIT researchers developed tiny, wireless antennas that use light to detect minute electrical signals in liquid environments, which are shown in this rendering. Credit: Marta Airaghi and Benoit Desbiolles

As part of a high-resolution biosensing device without wires, the antennas could help researchers decode intricate electrical signals sent by cells.

Tiny, wireless antennas use light to monitor cellular communication

A Short Guide to Key PIC Industry Design Guidelines for Optimizing Performance and Scalability


A Guide to Key PIC Industry Design Guidelines for Optimizing Performance and Scalability

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest has captured the imagination of engineers worldwide, inviting innovative minds to showcase their ideas in the ever-evolving field of Integrated photonics. As part of our spotlight on the contest’s jury members, we had the privilege of speaking with Jörn Epping, Epiphany's co-founder and an integrated photonics expert.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzM0NTI5NDM0MjEwLTE3MzQ1Mjk0MzQyMTAucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a></p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" class="button-main-action">Learn more about the challenge here.</a></p><p dir="ltr">Jörn Epping brings a wealth of experience to the jury, with an impressive career spanning academic research, engineering design, and entrepreneurial leadership. With a background in physics from the University of Münster and a PhD from the University of Twente, his career has been deeply rooted in photonics innovation. After roles at LioniX and a stint as Managing director at QuiX Quantum GmbH, Epping co-founded Epiphany, a design house focused on integrated photonics and commercialization.</p><p dir="ltr">Epping shared valuable insights on what makes a strong submission and how engineers can maximize their chances of success in this prestigious challenge.</p><blockquote><p dir="ltr">“What excites me most about this contest is seeing ideas come to life,” he explained. “I love witnessing how new concepts translate into designs and eventually into chips.”</p></blockquote><h3 dir="ltr" data-element-id="headingsMap-4-0">What Makes a Submission Stand Out?</h3><p dir="ltr">When evaluating contest submissions, Epping emphasizes two primary qualities: creativity and feasibility.</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Creativity: “Is it unique? Does it push the boundaries of what we expect?” Epping believes that engineering contests are an opportunity to think outside the box, unbound by the constraints of existing markets.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Feasibility: “Is the idea practical and producible with today’s technology? Can it be manufactured?” Submissions should demonstrate an understanding of current technological capabilities and scalability, whether the project involves mass production or niche applications.</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr">Epping also highlighted the importance of aligning the proposed solution with a clear use case. “There are two key paths: either creating a cost-effective product for mass production or designing a specialized, high-value solution that only chips can achieve, such as for satellites or harsh environments.”</p><h3 dir="ltr" data-element-id="headingsMap-5-0">Tips for Crafting a Strong Submission</h3><p dir="ltr">To make your entry shine, Epping recommends following a structured design journey:</p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Sketch Your Idea: Begin with a clear schematic outlining the concept and its intended functionality.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Leverage Available Technologies: Identify components or technologies that can bring your concept to life. Consider whether using existing building blocks is feasible or if additional development is required.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Provide Evidence: Where possible, include simulations, calculations, or performance estimates to substantiate your idea.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Plan for Manufacturing: Consider the entire development chain, including packaging and testing. “If you don’t plan for these during the design phase, it may be too late to address them later,” Epping cautioned.</p></li></ol><h3 dir="ltr"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzM0MzQ3MjMzMDI4LUFJTSBQaG90b25pY3MgLSBQaG90b25pYyBJbnRlZ3JhdGVkIENpcmN1aXRzIDEgKFBJQzEpIDEtNDggc2NyZWVuc2hvdC5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" width="602" height="339" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></h3><p dir="ltr">Image credit: AimPhotonics</p><h3 dir="ltr" data-element-id="headingsMap-7-0">Encouraging Future Innovators</h3><p dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest is not just about competition; it’s about fostering creativity and innovation in a field poised to transform industries. Epping encourages participants to explore new application areas for integrated photonics rather than competing in highly saturated markets like telecommunications.</p><p dir="ltr">For aspiring engineers or those looking to pivot into photonics, Epping’s advice is simple: “Stay curious. Focus on developing a solid understanding of the fundamentals, and don’t be afraid to explore uncharted territories.”</p><h3 dir="ltr" data-element-id="headingsMap-8-0">Why This Contest Stands Out</h3><blockquote><p dir="ltr">“What makes this contest special is the opportunity to see truly out-of-the-box ideas,” Epping said. “It’s about sparking creativity and bridging the gap between concept and commercialization.”</p></blockquote><p dir="ltr">With insights like these, participants are well-equipped to craft compelling submissions that showcase not only their technical prowess but also their ability to innovate and solve real-world problems. As Epping and his fellow jury members review the entries, they’ll be looking for projects that embody the transformative potential of photonics.</p><h3 dir="ltr" data-element-id="headingsMap-9-0">Final tips for entrants</h3><ol data-stringify-type="ordered-list" data-list-tree="true" data-indent="0" data-border="0"><li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Apply before December 31 to receive personalized feedback from the PhotonDelta team.</li><li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Ensure your entry is legible and conveys your ideas as succinctly and clearly as possible.</li><li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Don’t be afraid to reach out. We are here to answer any of your content questions. Just email us at:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" data-stringify-link="mailto:challenges@wevolver.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="mailto:challenges@wevolver.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" id="isPasted">challenges@wevolver.com</a></li></ol><p dir="ltr">Good luck to all participants, and may your ideas shine as brightly as the photonic innovations they inspire!</p><h2 dir="ltr" data-element-id="headingsMap-10-0">Global Photonics Engineering Contest</h2><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzM0NTI5NTEzNTczLTE3MzQ1Mjk1MTM1NzMucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a></p><p dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest invites engineers, innovators, and startups to push the boundaries of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) and create applications that address complex engineering challenges and push the boundaries of the industry. Whether you’re in semiconductors, data &amp; telecom, medtech, or agritech, we want to see your breakthrough idea that can harness the power of PICs to change the world.</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Prize:</strong> €50,000 worth of services from the PhotonDelta ecosystem to to make your idea market-ready + a chance to receive up to €2 million in pre-seed funding.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Audience:&nbsp;</strong>Open to all engineers, researchers, OEMs, hardware manufacturers, startups/scale-ups, research teams, and students working on innovative PIC applications.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Early Bird Opportunity:&nbsp;</strong>All submissions received by 31st December 2024, will receive&nbsp;personalized feedback from PhotonDelta engineers.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>End date:&nbsp;</strong>March 3rd 2025</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" class="button-main-action">Submit now!</a></p><p><br></p>

As part of our spotlight on the contest’s jury members, we had the privilege of speaking with Jörn Epping, Epiphany's co-founder and an integrated photonics expert. 

Tips and Insights from the Global Photonics Engineering Contest Jury

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are emerging as transformative tools in industries ranging from telecommunications to healthcare. With applications spanning telecom, healthcare, computing, and beyond, PICs hold the potential to revolutionize industries and solve some of society’s most pressing challenges.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">To inspire engineers and innovators, the&nbsp;Global Photonics Engineering Contest, in collaboration with Photon Delta, is offering a platform to showcase groundbreaking ideas.</p><p dir="ltr">Wevolver spoke with Twan Korthorst, CEO of <a href="https://neworigin.eu/en/">New Origin</a> and a passionate advocate for photonic technologies, to provide deeper insight into the impact of PICs, the journey into the industry, and advice for succeeding in the challenge.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Unlocking new possibilities and innovative applications with PICs</h2><p dir="ltr">Integrated photonic chips have the potential to significantly impact multiple industries, building on their foundational role in telecommunications. As Twan Korthorst explains, the integrated photonics journey began with long-haul telecom applications, where optical fibers replaced copper links and satellite communication, enabling high-bandwidth, low-energy data transport. The industry has since matured, transitioning from traditional telecom to datacom, where optical fibers now connect data centers and even chips, such as CPUs and GPUs, addressing challenges like bandwidth, latency, and energy consumption.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Beyond telecommunications, the advancements in photonic ICs have unlocked creativity in new applications. From shrinking bulky LiDAR systems for autonomous vehicles and industrial robots to developing sensitive biosensors and miniaturized light engines for AR/VR devices, the possibilities are vast.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Investments in datacom have driven the maturity of photonic technology, with improved design tools and broader access to manufacturing facilities. As Korthorst highlights, this momentum is paving the way for further innovation, lower costs, and a significant expansion of photonic IC applications in the coming decade.</p><p dir="ltr"><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rCuJEx6kmyQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span></iframe></span></p><h2 dir="ltr">Challenges in Scaling Photonic Innovation</h2><p dir="ltr">Despite their promise, PICs face hurdles that must be addressed to accelerate adoption. According to Korthorst, two primary challenges stand out:</p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Cost and Scalability<br></strong>The cost of prototyping and scaling remains high due to limited manufacturing facilities. Multiproject wafer (MPW) runs, where multiple designs share fabrication costs, offer an accessible entry point for smaller organizations or first-time designers. However, scaling beyond prototypes to higher volumes continues to be challenging.“New Origin and other initiatives aim to address this by creating scalable manufacturing solutions,” Korthorst added. “This will drive down costs and enable broader industry adoption.”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Education and Talent Development<br></strong>The field of photonics demands specialized knowledge. While engineers from physics, chemistry, or electrical backgrounds bring valuable expertise, many lack experience in chip design and manufacturing. “Education is key,” Korthorst emphasized. “Training programs and collaborations between universities, research institutions, and design houses are helping bridge this gap.”</p></li></ol><h2 dir="ltr">How to Break into the Photonics Industry</h2><p dir="ltr">For engineers aspiring to enter the photonics industry, Korthorst highlighted two primary paths:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Theory Experts:</strong> Engineers with backgrounds in optics, chemical sensing, or physics have a solid theoretical understanding. However, they can benefit from training programs offered by organizations like AIM Photonics (U.S.) and JePPIX (Europe) to improve their knowledge of chip design. Partnering with design houses like Bright Photonics or Epiphany can also help engineers begin to translate big ideas into PIC designs.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Chip Designers:</strong> Engineers experienced in analog or RF chip design can leverage their existing knowledge to transition into integrated photonics. Because they have the foundation knowledge, they can explore a shorter path to the PIC industry by collaborating with foundries like SMART Photonics or LioniX to gain direct access to the tools and expertise needed to validate their concepts.</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr">Regardless of their background, Korthorst encouraged engineers to engage with the ecosystem, attend training sessions, and explore opportunities to enter the industry.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Crafting a Winning Submission for the Challenge</h2><p dir="ltr">The&nbsp;Global Photonics Engineering Contest&nbsp;offers a unique opportunity for engineers to bring their ideas to life. With a prize that includes resources to design, prototype, and manufacture a PIC, participants can focus on innovation rather than logistical hurdles. Korthorst shared his advice for crafting a standout submission:</p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Define the Problem<br></strong>Clearly articulate the challenge you aim to address. Explain how PICs can enhance current solutions or unlock new possibilities.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Showcase Impact<br></strong>Highlight the societal or industrial importance of your idea. Whether it’s advancing healthcare or improving energy efficiency, focus on the broader implications.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Leverage Collaboration<br></strong>Don’t worry about mastering the technical details alone. The contest’s partners, including leading foundries and design houses, are there to guide you.</p></li></ol><blockquote><p dir="ltr">“Set the jury on fire with a great idea,” Korthorst advised. “Focus on the problem and the bigger picture. If your vision excites others, the technical support will follow.”</p></blockquote><h2 dir="ltr">Your Invitation to Innovate</h2><p dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest is not just a competition; it’s an invitation to engage with a vibrant ecosystem and contribute to the future of technology. With the contest closing in March, now is the time to submit your ideas and join a community of innovators shaping the next wave of photonic advancements.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzM0MzQxMTAzNzE5LXBob3RvbiBkZWx0YSAtIE5PVyBMSVZFICgxOTIwIHggNTAwIHB4KSAoMSkucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr">“There’s so much promise in this technology,” Korthorst concluded. “It’s an exciting time to get involved and make an impact.”</p></blockquote><p dir="ltr">Whether you’re an industry veteran or a curious newcomer, the challenge is your chance to explore the potential of PICs and turn your ideas into reality.</p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest invites engineers, innovators, and startups to push the boundaries of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) and create applications that address complex engineering challenges and push the boundaries of the industry. Whether you’re in semiconductors, data &amp; telecom, medtech, or agritech, we want to see your breakthrough idea that can harness the power of PICs to change the world.</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>Prize:</strong> €50,000 worth of services from the PhotonDelta ecosystem to to make your idea market-ready + a chance to receive up to €2 million in pre-seed funding.</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Audience:</strong> Open to all engineers, researchers, OEMs, hardware manufacturers, startups/scale-ups, research teams, and students working on innovative PIC applications.</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Early Bird Opportunity:&nbsp;</strong>All submissions received by 31st December 2024, will receive <strong>personalized feedback from PhotonDelta engineers.</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>End date:</strong> March 3rd 2025</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" class="button-main-action">Find out more here!</a></p><p><br></p>

Twan Korthorst, CEO of New Origin, highlights their transformative potential in a conversation with Wevolver about the Global Photonics Engineering Contest, hosted in collaboration with PhotonDelta.

The Role of Photonic Integrated Circuits, Breaking into the Industry, and Crafting a Winning Submission

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Integrated Photonics, the technology that uses light to power and transmit information, is transforming industries from telecommunications to healthcare. As the demand for high-speed, energy-efficient devices grows, Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), also known as photonic chips, are paving the way for a new era in tech. Similar to electronic circuits but with photons instead of electrons, PICs enable the miniaturisation and acceleration of processes across sectors, making them a cornerstone of future innovations.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/photonic-integrated-circuit-market-107051#:~:text=The%20global%20photonic%20integrated%20circuit,20.8%25%20during%20the%20forecast%20period.">With a global PIC market poised to reach 65 billion by 2030,</a> there’s a pressing need for skilled professionals who are passionate about contributing to this field. Whether you’re a student, a recent graduate, or an experienced engineer looking for a career pivot, opportunities in PICs span across design, research, development, packaging, and manufacturing.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Understanding Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs)</h2><p dir="ltr">Photonic Integrated Circuits combine multiple optical functions—like lasers, detectors, and modulators—onto a single chip. This integration results in smaller, faster, and more efficient devices, opening new possibilities in applications such as high-speed internet, advanced medical diagnostics, and data processing.</p><p dir="ltr">In this article, we discuss the pathways to a career in integrated photonics, whether you are a bachelor's student or an established engineer. We highlight the work PhotonDelta is doing to help create a robust PIC industry.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/an-introduction-to-integrated-photonics">Read more about PICs here.</a></p><h1 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMzNzQ0MzQzNzc3LXBob3RvbiBkZWx0YSAtIE5PVyBMSVZFICgxOTIwIHggNTAwIHB4KS5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a></h1><h1 dir="ltr">Why start a career in PICs:</h1><p dir="ltr">Building a career in PICS represents a chance to make a mark in a relatively new industry. It offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on sustainable and energy-efficient technologies and solutions. This booming sector has tremendous growth potential across various application areas. Furthermore, you'll get to work in an interdisciplinary and innovative environment.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Finding your path to a career in Integrated Photonics as a student</h2><p dir="ltr">A recommended route into PICs is through degrees in engineering, optics, or telecommunications. Programs in electrical engineering, applied physics, and optical sciences offer a strong foundation, with many universities now offering specialised courses in photonics. Further,&nbsp;Mechanical Engineering or Materials Engineering backgrounds are strong favoured in the PIC industry because topics like packaging and assembly of the PIC are very important.</p><p dir="ltr">For engineers who have completed bachelor's degrees, pursuing a master's in a Photonics program is a solid way to establish a degree in photonics.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">PhotonDelta and Optics Netherlands recently launched the '<a href="https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/masterplus-optics-photonics#:~:text=A%20Master%20with%20an%20additional%20Plus%20in%20Optics%20%26%20Photonics&text=The%20MasterPlus%20offers%20an%20extra,driving%20scientific%20and%20societal%20change.">MasterPlus Programme in Optics and Photonics' (MPOP).</a> This initiative, in collaboration with Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and the University of Twente (UT), introduces a specialisation within existing master's programs in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering. MPOP aims to bridge academic expertise with industry needs, offering students the flexibility to attend courses across different campuses and engage in inter-university activities.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Participants will have opportunities for internships with leading companies like ASML, Signify, SMART Photonics, and LioniX International, as well as collaborations with research institutes such as SRON and imec. The program seeks to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the optics and photonics sector, contributing to the Netherlands' position as a global innovation hub in this field. Learn more about the program <a href="https://www.mpop-programme.com/">here</a>.</p><p dir="ltr">For those already in the workforce, there are various reskilling programs supported by the industry, allowing professionals from other technical backgrounds to leverage their existing skills while gaining new, PIC-specific knowledge.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Exploring Career Roles in PICs</h2><p dir="ltr">Whether coming through traditional education routes or via reskilling programs PIC careers offer diverse roles for innovators and problem-solvers alike:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Photonics Engineers&nbsp;design and develop the optical components that power PICs.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Research Scientists&nbsp;push the boundaries of photonics knowledge through experimentation.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">System Designers&nbsp;integrate PICs into broader applications, such as telecom systems.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Product Managers and Application Engineers&nbsp;work closely with clients to adapt PIC solutions to specific needs.</p></li></ul><h1 dir="ltr">PhotonDelta’s Role in Shaping Careers in PICs</h1><p dir="ltr">PhotonDelta supports a global end-to-end ecosystem of photonic chip companies that designs, develops, and manufactures innovative solutions that contribute to a better world.</p><p dir="ltr">They promote the global adoption of photonic integrated chips by engaging with a diverse range of industries and the academic community.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">PhotonDelta's Human Capital Program aims to bridge the gap between current and future talent and the needs of the integrated photonics industry. The program focuses on two main objectives:</p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Increasing the attractiveness of a career in integrated photonics: This involves creating a strong industry brand, raising awareness among students at various educational levels, building a community of photonic chip enthusiasts, and implementing marketing activities to attract both national and international talent.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Expanding the quality and size of the integrated photonics talent pool: PhotonDelta supports educational institutions and training providers to offer comprehensive study programs and reskilling courses. Initiatives include summer schools, challenge-based learning, specialised master's programs, hackathons, and online training sessions.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Creating employee engagement and loyalty, contributing to talent retention within the industry</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">By creating an environment where professionals can learn, collaborate, and grow, the industry sets the foundation for long-term success and positions itself as a leader in the global photonics sector. PhotonDelta initiates expert communities and industry partner meetings to ensure that employees feel welcome and appreciated, keeping talents in the industry.&nbsp;</p></li></ol><p dir="ltr">To achieve these goals, PhotonDelta curates and creates pivotal talent market data to inform strategic initiatives. It serves as a connector within its ecosystem, facilitating collaboration among companies, research institutes, and educational institutions. Through strategic investments, PhotonDelta aims to accelerate scalable initiatives that attract and retain talent in the integrated photonics industry.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">They endeavour to&nbsp;foster a strong photonics community and promote career development in PICs through several key initiatives:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Collaborations with Academic Institutions: PhotonDelta partners with universities and technical schools to develop curricula and summer schools tailored to integrated photonics, ensuring students receive industry-relevant education.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Career Opportunities through PhotonJobs: The<a href="http://www.photonjobs.nl">&nbsp;PhotonJobs platform</a> connects job seekers with leading photonics companies looking for skilled engineers, researchers, and developers.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Talent outreach activities: PhotonDelta organizes and participates in several activities to introduce talent with a career in the Photonic Chip Industry such as career events, supporting student teams and study associations and offering an introduction to the world of (integrated) photonics already at a young age. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p></li></ul><h3 dir="ltr">Building a Sustainable Future in Photonics</h3><p dir="ltr">PhotonDelta’s long-term goal is to create a sustainable talent pipeline for the photonic chip ecosystem by developing comprehensive programs across all educational levels. Through partnerships with industry leaders and educational institutions, PhotonDelta supports the growth of a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the evolving photonics landscape.</p><p dir="ltr">By joining this exciting field, you can play a role in transforming how the world uses light to shape the future of technology. Whether through PhotonDelta's training programs, industry events, or job platform, there are many pathways to a fulfilling career in photonics. Take the first step today and become part of the photonic chip revolution.</p><hr><h2 id="isPasted">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest is now live!</h2><p dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest invites engineers, innovators, and startups to push the boundaries of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) and create applications that address complex engineering challenges and push the boundaries of the industry. Whether you’re in semiconductors, data &amp; telecom, medtech, or agritech, we want to see your breakthrough idea that can harness the power of PICs to change the world.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMzNzQ0Mzc5NTIxLTE3MzM3NDQzNzk1MjEucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>Prize:</strong> €50,000 worth of services from the PhotonDelta ecosystem to to make your idea market-ready + a chance to receive up to €2 million in pre-seed funding.</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Audience:</strong> Open to all engineers, researchers, OEMs, hardware manufacturers, startups/scale-ups, research teams, and students working on innovative PIC applications.</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Early Bird Opportunity:&nbsp;</strong>All submissions received by 31st December 2024, will receive <strong>personalized feedback from PhotonDelta engineers.</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>End date:</strong> March 3rd 2025</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" class="button-main-action">ENTER THE CHALLENGE NOW</a></p>

Explore pathways to a career in Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for both students and engineers looking to reskill. 

Illuminating Your Path: Building a Career in Integrated Photonics

integrated photonics

Photoresist, a light-sensitive material, is essential in photolithography for transferring intricate circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers. This article explores positive vs. negative photoresists, detailing their chemical mechanisms, processing parameters, and performance traits.

Positive vs. Negative Photoresist: A Comprehensive Guide to Photolithography in Semiconductor Fabrication

CMOS and CCD sensors both convert light into electronic signals, with CMOS using pixel-level transistors for faster, energy-efficient processing, while CCD transfers charge across the chip for superior image quality but with slower speed and higher power consumption.

CCD vs CMOS Image Sensors: A Comprehensive Guide for Engineering Professionals

Exploring Silicon Photonics: Shaping the Future of Optical Communication

Silicon Photonics: A Comprehensive Guide to the Future of Optical Communications

Integrated photonics, also known as planar lightwave circuits or integrated optical circuits, revolutionizes optical communication by leveraging the properties of light to process and transmit information. This cutting-edge technology offers superior efficiency and compactness compared to traditional electronic components, paving the way for faster and more energy-efficient communication systems. With its interdisciplinary nature encompassing materials science, quantum physics, and electrical engineering, integrated photonics presents an exciting and promising field of study and research in today's digital era.


Integrated Photonics

Technical Guides

Positive vs. Negative Photoresist: A Comprehensive Guide to Photolithography in Semiconductor Fabrication...

CCD vs CMOS Image Sensors: A Comprehensive Guide for Engineering Professionals...

Silicon Photonics: A Comprehensive Guide to the Future of Optical Communications...

Integrated Photonics: Comprehensive Guide to Optical Communication

Profiles