PITC SiN Activities

Project Overview

The Photonic Integration Technology Center (PITC)—a joint initiative by TNO, TU/e, the University of Twente, and PhotonDelta—conducts foundational work to strengthen the Dutch silicon nitride (SiN) photonics ecosystem. Phase 1 of the PITC SiN programme runs from January 2023 to December 2025 and focuses on expanding technical capabilities, infrastructure, and personnel required to accelerate SiN photonic integrated circuit (PIC) development and industrial readiness.

PITC’s mission is to bridge the gap between research and application by developing shared technology platforms that enable companies and knowledge institutes to adopt integrated photonics more efficiently.

Background and Motivation

PITC is located near the Netherlands’ two major photonic hubs—Eindhoven and Twente—where world-leading InP and SiN platforms are hosted. The organisation aims to build a strong, coordinated innovation ecosystem capable of supporting next-generation photonic technologies.

The National Growth Fund (NGF) investment allows PITC to scale up its SiN technology efforts, expand its team by five full-time equivalents, and provide access to cleanroom and laboratory facilities necessary for process development and prototype fabrication.

Project Objectives

The SiN programme targets four technical outcomes, each addressing critical bottlenecks in SiN PIC development:

1. Low-loss SiN waveguides for quantum and microwave photonics (<0.01 dB/cm).
2. Integration of stress-based ultra-low-power modulators on SiN (PZT, <1 μW per modulator).
3. Integration of high-speed electro-optic modulators on SiN (Vπ@1 mm <5 V, switching speed >100 GHz).
4. Low-loss coupling strategies for fibre-to-chip and chip-to-chip integration (target: 0.5 dB per facet).

These goals form the foundation for a reproducible, scalable SiN PIC fabrication platform.

Expected Results (Phase 1)

Phase 1 contributes to PhotonDelta’s broader KPIs, including patents, business participation, and technology transfers. PITC expects to deliver:

Four patents related to SiN technologies

At least three business participations by the end of 2024, with further growth in 2025

A state-of-the-art SiN PIC fabrication facility, accessible to companies and research organisations

Summary

The PITC SiN Phase 1 programme strengthens the Dutch SiN photonics ecosystem by building core fabrication capabilities, developing key enabling components, and establishing reproducible wafer-level processes. These efforts provide a critical foundation for advanced applications in quantum photonics, telecom/datacom, and sensing, while supporting the long-term goal of a robust industrial photonics landscape in the Netherlands.