VTT joins PIXEurope, the advanced European photonics pilot line

ESPOO, Finland, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VTT joins PIXEurope, the European pilot line for Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), and provides the pilot line with expertise in thick silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. Supported by the European Chips Act, the PIXEurope initiative will invest EUR 400 million to advance the development and pilot fabrication of integrated photonic chips in Europe, vital for applications in fields including 6G, AI, mobility, imaging and sensing.

The Spanish-based Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) coordinates the PIXEurope pilot line that aims to establish the first open access photonic integrated circuit (PIC) ecosystem in Europe. There are several PIC technologies available with different strengths, and the pilot line gathers them all together for the first time in Europe to offer solutions for different applications and to cover wavelengths from ultraviolet and visible light up to mid-infrared.

Apart from PIC design and manufacturing, also hybrid integration, packaging and testing of PICs are part of the pilot line activities. The users can utilise the developed pilot line technologies by taking advantage of Process Design Kits (PDKs) that are made available for end users. By combining multiple functions into a single chip, PICs reduce manufacturing costs and open up new applications, positioning Europe as a leader in photonics technology.

"From VTT, we bring to the pilot line our mature Thick-SOI PIC technology and improve it further," says Timo Aalto, Research Team Leader for VTT's Silicon Photonics Team.

VTT's thick-SOI PIC platform already offers a unique combination of low optical losses, dense integration and broad wavelength range. As part of the PIXEurope pilot line, VTT will invest in new equipment for processing SOI wafers in VTT's Micronova cleanroom. New equipment allows for the improvement of the patterning resolution and surface smoothness of the optical waveguide structures that guide light in the PICs, and to integrate other materials on the SOI wafers for additional functionalities, such as fast light modulation and detection.

In addition to its own PIC technology development, VTT has a key role in leading a work package, where the development of all monolithic PIC technologies is carried out by multiple pilot line partners. The monolithic PIC platforms form the foundation on which additional PIC materials are added in other work packages.

"VTT is honoured to contribute to the PIXEurope pilot line with world leading know-how in the integrated photonics field. Our participation in PIXEurope complements our strong presence in the Chips JU microelectronics pilot lines.  We are committed to working towards a unified European photonics ecosystem," says Piia Konstari, VTT Director of Microfabrication services.

PIXEurope is a five-year long effort with final results expected in 2030.

MEDIA MATERIAL

VTT cleanroom operations (Photo source: VTT)

Further information:
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd
Timo Aalto, Research Team Leader
[email protected], tel. +358 408485037

Piia Konstari, Director of Microfabrication services
[email protected], tel. +358 505763706

CONTACT:

Further information on VTT:
Paula Bergqvist, Communications Manager
+358 20 722 5161, [email protected]
www.vttresearch.com

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SOURCE VTT Info