Research organization to build new factory for light-powered chips in Eindhoven

The research organization TNO has decided to build a factory for the production of photonics chips. These chips send data using light instead of electricity and are considered a very promising piece of technology. The Eindhoven location will be a testing factory, which is meant to show how photonic chips can be produced on an industrial scale.

The European Union, the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Defense, and TNO are investing a combined 153 million euros in the factory. The High Tech Campus will be responsible for the financing of the building, but it is not yet clear how much this will cost. Construction is expected to start at the end of this year.

A spokesperson said that this marks the first time that TNO is building its own factory. The research institute will work together with the Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Twente to scale up the production of photonic chips.

Photonic chips have the benefit of being very fast and energy-saving. If the chips can be produced on a large scale, then they could improve the performance of data centers with, for example, AI applications.

In addition, they also provide possibilities regarding faster internet connections or smart devices, medical applications, and defense systems, TNO said.

The Netherlands and Europe would also be able to increase their technological independence with the photonics chips, TNO has stated. The Eindhoven pilot plant will become part of a Europe-wide project for the development and application of integrated photonics, the discipline in which light is used for new technological applications.