Photonic Chip Pilot Line: InP chip fabrication at 6-inch wafer scale

The pilot line targets European industrial end-users, system integrators, startups, SMEs, and research institutes working on scalable InP photonic integrated circuits (PICs). It connects foundries and IDMs to OSATs, training providers, and material suppliers. While focused on European collaboration, international partnerships with Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea are also planned.

The pilot line supports advanced applications across multiple sectors, including AI, 6G networks, quantum computing, medical diagnostics, climate monitoring, and defense systems. Indium Phosphide (InP) photonic chips produced on the line offer high speed, low energy consumption, and large bandwidth, making them ideal for data centers, smart sensors, secure communications, and high-performance computing.

Scaling from 4- to 6-inch wafers increases production efficiency and chip yield, making industrial-scale manufacturing of photonic chips more viable. It’s a key step toward cost-effective, high-volume deployment of advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The shift also aligns with semiconductor industry standards, enabling better integration with existing manufacturing infrastructure.

Unlike a standard manufacturing line focused on high-volume output, the pilot line combines R&D and manufacturing. It enables companies to test, validate, and fabricate new photonic chip designs using industrial-grade processes without committing to full-scale production. This reduces risk, accelerates innovation, and supports ecosystem-wide collaboration.

The pilot line enables companies to test and implement complex technologies that would be too costly or risky to develop alone. It helps companies validate new concepts and transfer them smoothly into production, offering clarity on required devices and conditions for optimal product development. Instead of shelving ideas due to technical barriers, the pilot line turns innovation into reality, accelerating hardware prototyping for research institutes, startups, and SMEs. By enabling low-volume production of InP photonic chips at 6-inch wafer scale, a leap from the current 3–4 inch standard, it strengthens the competitiveness of the Dutch PhotonDelta ecosystem. The line supports innovation, shortens time-to-market, attracts investment, and positions the Netherlands as a European leader in photonic chip technology.

As a key R&D and industrialization partner, PITC (Photonic Integration Technology Centre) plays a key role in bridging research and industry. It helps companies design, test, and scale their own photonic integrated circuits (PICs) using the pilot line’s 6-inch wafer platform. Through PITC, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the University of Twente (UT), and TNO contribute deep expertise in photonic design, development, and scaling. Its expertise ensures that new technologies can be industrialized efficiently, helping to strengthen the Dutch and European photonics ecosystem.

As a European leader in InP technology, SMART Photonics is, next to others, an important end user of the pilot line and as such can help accelerate industrial adoption and strengthen the Dutch photonics manufacturing base. SMART Photonics supports the pilot line with its proven expertise in Indium Phosphide (InP) technology to accelerate the development of processes for 6-inch wafer production by sharing skills and knowledge. In addition, the company serves as a training provider, helping to build the skills and knowledge needed across the ecosystem.

The pilot line is part of the EU’s Chips for Europe Initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between lab innovation and industrial production. This initiative supports the development of advanced technologies, like photonic chips, by offering facilities to test, scale, and validate prototypes. As part of PIXEurope, one of five pan-European pilot lines co-funded by the Chips Joint Undertaking, the pilot line in Eindhoven contributes to Europe’s technological sovereignty and global competitiveness.

Construction of the pilot line will begin in January 2026 at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. It is expected to become operational in 2027. Once running, the facility will serve as a testbed and fab for Indium Phosphide (InP) photonic chips at 6-inch wafer scale, supporting the transition from research to industrial production. Meanwhile, early collaboration opportunities are already available and will be further developed as part of the pilot line. The first inquiries have already been received.

The pilot line in Eindhoven is funded through the EU Chips Act by the Chips Joint Undertaking and co-financed by PhotonDelta, the Dutch Ministries of Economic Affairs and Defense, and TNO. The total investment amounts to 153 million euros over five years. Additionally, the High Tech Campus Eindhoven is investing in the building and the cleanroom.