31-01-2025

A Twente photonics revolution? ‘We are playing in the Champions League’

A Twente photonics revolution? ‘We are playing in the Champions League’

The spotlight has been emphatically on photonics in Twente recently, with legions of press releases, plans and a royal visit. Hans Hilgenkamp, scientific director of research institute MESA+, on U-Today about Twente’s knowledge advantage and the role of the UT.

‘Twente will be at the centre of a global revolution in photonics.’ These are the ringing words in a press release about a new photonic chip production facility to be built at Kennispark, called New Origin. No shortage of ambitions and self-assurance, you might say.

There has been no shortage of attention for photonics in Twente recently anyway. King Willem-Alexander’s visit to the NanoLab last December was all about the field. The UT, Demcon and TNO will work together to accelerate innovation in photonic chips. And then millions of euros from both European and regional governments have become available.

Champions League

So what about this revolution? Hans Hilgenkamp, scientific director of UT research institute MESA+, knows that the development of photonics did not happen overnight, but went through decades of scientific development. ‘The word revolution mainly refers to the increasing role of photonics in all kinds of applications,’ says Hilgenkamp, who himself uses a few sports analogies to interpret the position in it of the UT – and Twente in a broad sense: ‘Call it pole position or playing in the Champions League, we are very well positioned in the field of photonics and have built up a knowledge lead. Now it’s a matter of grabbing a production lead. To keep playing in that Champions League – if you will.’

‘The strength lies in the combination of materials science and optics’

Somewhere that knowledge lead originated. Decades ago already in the UT laboratories, Hilgenkamp explains. ‘Traditionally, we have expertise here in materials science in micro- and nanotechnology: mastering materials at very small scales and making structures and layers. Optics, another field, had a similar rise. So we have strengths in a number of areas, with strong research groups, which eventually converge in integrated photonics. The strength is in that combination.’

That integrated photonics should be seen as structures on a computer chip that can conduct light, Hilgenkamp explains. According to him, the UT is a global leader when it comes to so-called silicon nitride waveguides; light conductors that barely lose power.

Market

What originated and was developed in UT’s laboratories led to the establishment of companies such as LioniX International, which has increasingly started to market the technology over the past 20 years. ‘Then you see that from one strength other strengths emerge,’ Hilgenkamp says. ‘For example, with quantum technology also on the rise, another spin-off, QuiX Quantum, emerged a few years ago. They have recently been at the top of global top lists everywhere in their field.’

So the picture of Twente’s offerings is quickly sketched: materials science and optics found each other and moved on to integrated photonics. That technology then had potential to be marketed. Then the logical question is: if this is the supply, what about the demand? ‘With all the developments in information technology, new systems are needed to get going with that technology in an efficient way. Each application has its own boundary conditions, but for some it is ideal to use light to transport information instead of electrons,’ Hilgenkamp said. ‘You already see that with fibre-optic connections, for example. For autonomous transport and satellite, sensing and communication systems in the future, it could be very beneficial to use photonic chips rather than electric ones. But it’s always a trade-off between light and electricity.’

Chip factory

So as that demand for photonics increases, a market is emerging, the scientific director observes. ‘Then it is very opportune to be there in time, to have that production lead in addition to that knowledge lead,’ Hilgenkamp says. So New Origin enters the picture, a so-called foundry for the production of silicon nitride photonic chips. That chip factory should rise at Kennispark and be operational by the end of 2026. The facility would not only create dozens of new jobs, but also fuel cooperation between all kinds of parties – from fundamental scientists to photonics startups.

At least those are the plans. What is already happening visibly is that photonics in Twente is starting to gain ‘mass’. Financial impetus is also coming from many quarters. For instance, there is millions in funding from the National Growth Fund in the form of PhotonDelta. Last November, UT also received €15 million in European funding for the development of photonic chips. And the establishment at UT of three so-called Joint Innovation Centres of research institute TNO also involves a multi-million investment from the Province of Overijssel and Twente Board.

‘The most important aspect is the knowledge and expertise. You’re not going to replicate that with just a bag of money’

As much as the wind is at its back, doesn’t ‘Twente’ look at ‘Eindhoven’ with some jealousy? After all, when it comes to another recent bag of money handed out, Project Beethoven, Eindhoven was by far “the bacon buyer“. And with ASML, that region has an international giant ‘in house’. According to Hilgenkamp, the suspicious eyes are not so bad. ‘In part, Project Beethoven is an investment programme for the spatial infrastructure around ASML, but it is also part talent development for which a considerable amount of money is coming to Twente. UT is the second most important university ASML works with, so we too have a strong connection to the company. ASML needs the government to invest, but also talent – from MBO to academic – to grow further. This is where we play an important role as a whole region.’ Moreover, the two regions do not ‘bite’ each other when it comes to photonics, Hilgenkamp continues. ‘Whereas Eindhoven focuses mainly on active photonics, such as light sources, we do so on light guides. You need both to move forward, it’s an interplay of different areas of expertise.’

Internationalisation Act

Are there any factors that could get in the way of the aforementioned photonics ‘revolution’ in Twente? A region with more money and mass running off with the spoils, for example? A lack of investment perhaps? Hilgenkamp does not fear any hijackers on the coast. ‘The most important aspect is people’s knowledge and expertise built up over decades. You’re not going to replicate that with just a bag of money. What is important is that you keep investing and developing if you want to stay at the top. Standing still is going backwards. Of course, you don’t know how the government will deal with investments if PhotonDelta stops at some point. What is happening is based on a vision, which we continue to develop and scale up. We have to be entrepreneurial. So you have to believe in something.’

What Hilgenkamp is more concerned about is the internationalisation debate and the impending Internationalisation in Balance Act. ‘It is ultimately people who have to do it. If we want to take this technology further, we also need international talent. You see that with us, you see that with the companies. Moreover, they contribute to the Netherlands. If you take that group away, then we have a problem. If you look at it in purely business terms, that also applies to the Netherlands BV. I don’t think it’s wise to raise our borders high.’

‘Strong shoulders’

The role UT plays in the development of photonics is and will remain an important one, according to Hilgenkamp. ‘As a university, we are an important part of the regional ecosystem. We have some strong shoulders to stand on to develop this further. We are pushing the boundaries of science, that is our role as a university. But also to make a positive contribution to the region. So also helping it scale up.’

‘We are definitely not a small player. Otherwise the king wouldn’t have come here’

Is that not to the detriment of exactly what current technology has the wind in its sails, fundamental science? ‘No, that is certainly not necessarily the case. The equipment in the NanoLab – purchased from the recent European grant – can play an important role in fundamental research. In this case into the use of alumina in photonics – from which, incidentally, a spin-off has already emerged with Aluvia Photonics.’

In a nutshell, it also sums up the king’s visit last December. The NanoLab in which fundamental scientists and industry work side by side. According to Hilgenkamp, the king’s working visit is exactly proof of Twente’s pole position. ‘And a compliment and recognition for the work everyone does here. He has of course been to several places, from ASML to similar facilities in the United States. It became very clear to us from the questions he asked that he is well versed in the subject matter. No, we are definitely not a small player. Otherwise he wouldn’t have come here.’

Source text and image: U-Today

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