Global PIC leaders convene at the PIC Summit 2024 in Eindhoven to discuss the transformative potential of photonic chips, addressing some of the sector’s key challenges including talent acquisition, funding and the integration of semiconductors and photonics.
Over 700 industry experts from across the semiconductor and photonic chip sectors gathered at the PIC Summit 2024 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, to discuss the future of photonic chips and their potential to transform key industries. Hosted by PhotonDelta, the summit addressed pressing issues surrounding the integration of photonic chips including challenges related to recruitment, funding and technological barriers. Attendees included representatives from major global corporations such as Airbus, IBM, Sony, Nokia Bell Labs, NVIDIA and Unilever.
Photonic chips: a key to innovation and sustainability
The summit’s key focus was on accelerating the development and market integration of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), which offer several advantages over traditional semiconductor technology such as reduced energy consumption, faster data processing and the ability to support next-generation innovations like quantum computing, autonomous vehicles and advanced healthcare diagnostics.
A notable highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring top officials Gustav Kalbe, Acting Director for Enabling and Emerging Technologies at the EU Commission and Tjerk Opmeer, Acting Director-General for Business & Innovation at the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. The pair discussed the need for stronger institutional support in the lead-up to the European Chips Act 2.0, an initiative which aims to boost Europe’s semiconductor and photonics industries to ensure they remain competitive on the global stage.
“You can see how ubiquitous applications for integrated photonics are becoming," announced Kalbe in his address to the Summit. "The need is ever-increasing, and ever-critical because photonics underpins so many other technologies."
"Integrated photonics remains a key European focus,” Kalbe continued. “But it’s important that we come together to coordinate and collaborate – between member states and across the industry.”
PhotonDelta tracks skills gap
Meanwhile, PhotonDelta unveiled a new initiative aimed at addressing the industry’s growing skills gap. In launching a dedicated jobs board and information portal, the organisation hopes to attract new talent into the sector, a critical task given the projected growth of the photonic chip industry and the urgent need for skilled professionals to support it. The initiative is also set up to inspire innovative applications for photonic chips, with a €50,000 Global Photonic Engineering Contest, launched in collaboration with Wevolver.
“Photonic chip technology offers solutions to big societal challenges in areas such as mobility, energy, climate change, food and health,” said Eelko Brinkhoff, PhotonDelta’s CEO, emphasising the urgent need for public and private entities to collaborate in order to bring photonic solutions to market faster. “This is why PIC Summit 2024 has placed a strong focus on stimulating cooperation between photonic and electronic chip industries, academics, industry leaders, policymakers and value chain partners.”
Standardised manufacturing processes offer a path to efficiency
Other discussions held during the summit asked how the semiconductor and photonics industries can work together to standardise manufacturing processes, thus streamlining production and reducing costs. As photonic chips gain more prominence, particularly in data centres and the telecommunications sector, for example, the need for unified standards is becoming increasingly evident.
Photonic chips could reduce global energy consumption
Another key topic at the event was the energy efficiency of photonic chips, with speakers noting that they could help reduce global electricity consumption in data centres – itself expected to account for 10% of worldwide energy use by 2027. Meanwhile, the use of PICs for sensor technology was cited as another area making a positive industrial impact in sectors such as autonomous vehicles, smart agriculture and healthcare diagnostics.
In addition to the market and technical challenges, the summit also highlighted the role of governments and institutions in fostering an environment that promotes innovation in the photonic chip space. The collaborative efforts outlined during the PIC Summit 2024 are expected to shape the future of the industry, ensuring that Europe remains a leader in photonic and semiconductor technologies.
“The Summit has generated a wealth of new ideas and initiatives that cover everything from photonic chip technology and its applications’ integration with semiconductors to standardisation, public and private funding and government support,” said Brinkhoff. “I would call on European companies, government bodies and academic organisations to listen to these ideas and work together to drive the industry forward.”
