European Photonics Projects

PhotonicsNL is participating in various European projects

RAAK-MKB proposal AutoCUE

Project description
When passive photonic sensor chips are used in lab-on-a-chip application, e.g. for blood analysis, an important aspect is the coupling of the active components (light source and photodiodes) to the chip. Several methods have been proposed to solve this, and in this project a solution using end-butt coupling will be developed. In end-butt coupling the light enters at one of the end faces directly into the waveguides (which run parallel to the chip surface). Good coupling to the waveguides on the chip requires fast, micrometer accurate alignment, which should be done autonomously when the instrument is going to be used in a medical practice. The proposed design consists of a two-step process. First, the chip, which is packaged in a cartridge, will be aligned as accurately as possible by a mechanical system of stops and guidance. This is the passive part. Next, by switching on the light source and scanning the optical fiber connected to it over a certain area, the position with maximum coupling can be found. The project should result in a demonstrator setup showing the feasibility of this solution.

Current status
Effectively, the project started just after the summer of 2020 and is currently showing first results. First, accurate measurements have been carried out, where the coupling was measured as a function of a linear or angular displacement between the fiber and the waveguide. Based on these measurements, the required accuracies for the six degrees of freedom could be determined. Next, a first proposal for the design of the cartridge and acceptor slot have been made. This design should guarantee maximum accuracy for the passive alignment step and is currently being realized and tested. Finally, a first procedure and algorithm for the active alignment process have been developed, which seem to be working nicely.

Project partners
This project, funded under the SiA RAAK-MKB program is carried out by the following partners: Saxion University of Applied Sciences, University of Twente, Qurin Diagnostics BV, Delta Diagnostics BV, Beta Applied Research BV, LioniX International BV, PhiX BV, Huygens Engineers BV, SurfiX BV, Salland Engineering BV, IMS BV and with support from PhotonicsNL.

Read more about RAAK AutoCUE

BestPHorM21

BestPhorm21 provides the support structure to the HEurope Photonics Partnership. The objectives of this project are:
- Secure European world leadership and technological sovereignty in photonics - Digitize European end user industries with photonics - Push regional, national and European photonics networks and public investment strategies - Improve access to growth financing for Photonics Start-ups and SMEs to scale up

Soon you can read more about BestPHorM21

ACTPHAST 4.0

ACTPHAST 4.0: Accelarating Photonics innovation for SME's: a one stop-shop-incubator. This project is specially designed to support European companies who want to boost the innovation of their projects with photonics. This project is supported by the EU.

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NextPho21

NextPho21 is the follow up of EuroPho and provides the decisive support to the European Photonics21 community for developing a European industrial strategy for the upcoming 10 years.

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ÉPRISE

ÉPRISE is a European project supporting companies who use photonics to enter into four Life Sciences market sectors,namely, Medical Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture and Food.
This project has ended in June 2019.

Read more about ÉPRISE

Photonics21

The European Technology Platform for photonics representing the European photonics community from industry and research organisations and develops the European photonics strategy for future research and innovation in Europe.

Read more about Photonics21

Horizon2020

The biggest EU Research and Innovation program ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) – in addition to the private investment that this money will attract.

Read more about Horizon2020

This should lead to more industrial activities and more jobs in the field of photonics.
PhotonicsNL is in close collaboration with EU-partners in almost all EU-countries.