Photonics is a science and technology that makes use of the unique properties of light. In the same way electronic circuits harness electrons, photonics uses light particles, also known as photons. Photonics is a key enabling technology that is used to make other technologies faster, better and more accessible.
Photonics is applied in diverse industries, including but not limited to:
Although photonics technology is used in a vast number of industrial applications, the field is often still considered purely academic. However, Flanders’ research institutes want to change that perception. That’s why they have been working together with companies and government institutions like Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship since 1997 to develop new products and applications for photonics.
There are three leading institutions in Flanders that focus on photonics:
Flanders’ photonics ecosystem is thriving, thanks to the region’s many public-private partnerships. It’s important to note that the focus isn’t just on photonics companies, but also – and even mainly – on photonics-enabled companies: organizations that don’t have expertise in photonics themselves, but that benefit from implementing photonics in their processes and technology. This ranges from major international companies like Barco, which develops laser-based projectors and display technology, to smaller innovators like 3D Systems Leuven (formerly LayerWise), which uses lasers for 3D printing using metals.
Lithuanian company Brolis specifically selected Flanders as the location for its R&D activities because of its long-standing collaboration with NB-Photonics. Specifically, Brolis is working on both photonics-integrated circuit technology and silicon technology. This paves the way for the development of integrated hybrid chip technology with brand-new functionalities, such as extremely small remote laser sensors, smart wearables and lab-on-chip technology.
The triple helix approach used to support photonics in Flanders has proved quite successful: the northern region of Belgium ranks 8th in Europe when it comes to developing innovative products based on photonics. This is a strong result achieved by a comparatively small region. It has planted Flanders firmly on the European map – so firmly, in fact, that B-PHOT was charged with coordinating the ACTPHAST project.
ACTPHAST is a consortium of over 35 European photonics research institutes that aims to provide knowledge, infrastructure and support to non-photonics companies – specifically SMEs – looking to innovate by applying photonics. With 130 companies helped, 750 new jobs created, EUR 70 million in venture capital raised and EUR 550 million in new company revenues generated, it’s safe to say that ACTPHAST has so far been a resounding success.
8th of 27, that’s how high Flanders ranks within Europe for the development of innovative photonics products
That success has also attracted attention from outside of Europe. For example, when Japanese photonics components leader Hamamatsu Photonics was looking for a European partner, it decided on B-PHOT VUB because of its demonstrable expertise, combined with Flanders’ strategic location within Europe, which is the second largest photonics market in the world. As a result of this partnership, Hamamatsu now sponsors a photonics chair at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and has sent two post-doctoral researchers to join the B-PHOT VUB team. The goal is to strengthen the partnership further in the next couple of years with new spinoffs, products and hopefully even production facilities.
Having laid the foundations for a strong European consortium, Flanders photonics experts want to solidify this collaboration. As the next step after ACTPHAST, B-PHOT VUB has drafted a proposal for “Photon Hub Europe”, a European digital innovation hub. The goal is to unite over 50 photonics knowledge centers in 20 European regions, including Flanders’ photonics centers B-PHOT VUB, NB-Photonics UGent, imec, and Flanders Make.
The hub, if approved, will provide companies with deep technological support in photonics, encompassing the technology readiness levels 3 to 8: from feasibility studies, prototyping, to upscaling, and manufacturing in Europe. It will also offer hands-on training and coordinate investment funding through cross-border support. With this ambitious initiative, Flanders’ collaborative approach is perfectly poised to serve as an example for the future of European photonics.
