Photonics Scaleups Drive Critical European Technologies

European deeptech funding continues to support critical advancements, with recent reports tracking over €1 billion in tech funding deals across the continent. This investment underpins the development of key industrial technologies, including those in photonics. For instance, the project QPIC1550 is creating a universal quantum photonic integrated circuit (QPIC) platform at 1550 nm. This platform integrates InP, Quantum Dots, and InGaAs detectors on SiN PICs, aiming to revolutionise quantum photonics by enabling on-demand single photons and entangled photon pairs with efficient detection. Its compatibility with existing optical fibre networks offers a cost-effective solution for quantum communication, computing, and metrology applications.

Further advancing quantum technology, the QPHOTON project is pioneering a platform for experimental access to microwave photon statistics. This initiative opens up single-photon experiments in solid-state quantum devices, which are crucial for superconducting qubits and charge and spin qubits in semiconductors, where microwave photons are used for control, coupling, and readout. These developments are integral to building robust quantum systems.

Recent sector signals, such as the news item Chip startup Olix raises $312M, Mobilise launches investment arm, and a deep dive into July funding, highlight ongoing investment in the semiconductor space, which often intersects with photonics for advanced chip manufacturing and integration. Such funding activities underscore the strategic importance of nurturing European deeptech scaleups to ensure technological leadership and strengthen industrial capabilities.

What this means: Focused investment and pioneering research in photonics are directly contributing to Europe's strategic autonomy in critical technology areas, from advanced semiconductors to secure quantum communications, by fostering a new generation of industrial solutions.