Photondelta establishes permanent presence in Silicon Valley

Dutch integrated-photonics accelerator Photondelta is opening a Silicon Valley in order to promote collaboration between European and US organizations. “We want to tap into the North American market and partner with industry leaders to help accelerate this key enabling technology. As we stimulate the internationalization of our value chain, we need to connect our know-how, expertise, networks and funding in North America and the Netherlands,” says Jorn Smeets, who has been appointed managing director North America at Photondelta.

The Netherlands is a pioneer in two of integrated photonics’ main technology platforms: indium phosphide (InP) and silicon nitride (SiN). Over the past five years or so, commercialization of applications based on these photonic technologies have taken off in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. The US has a strong position in the third platform, silicon photonics, due its rich history in semiconductor manufacturing. Many experts believe that integrated photonics will eventually become a natural part of semiconductor technology at large.

Photondelta’s new hub will bring the Netherlands’ photonic-chip capabilities to North America. The Photondelta ecosystem currently covers over 70 different organizations, including design services, multiple foundries for photonic chip fabrication, packaging, assembly and testing, and an increasing number of fabless companies that use PIC technology for innovative solutions.