Imec and TNO have officially launched the Holst Centre Photonics Lab, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to integrated photonics research and development in the Netherlands. By advancing photonics research and fostering collaboration between industry and academia, the lab aims to bridge the gap between innovation and industrialization for applications in sectors such as automotive, healthcare, and data communications. The new lab is located at High Tech Campus Eindhoven and is partly funded by PhotonDelta.

The launch of the Holst Centre Photonics Lab marks an important milestone in the Dutch
commitment to integrated photonics innovation. Building on the PhotonDelta National Growth Fund plan initiative, which has propelled integrated photonics R&D in the Netherlands for over 2.5 years, the lab establishes a solid foundation for cutting-edge research and aims to foster strategic collaboration between industry and academia.

By combining Imec’s expertise in areas such as tape-out validation, on-chip laser development, system testing, and application validation with TNO’s strengths in laser characterisation, freespace optics, and photonic chip integration, the lab brings together complementary capabilities across the full innovation chain. By enabling close collaboration from early research to real-world applications, this partnership is set to elevate photonics R&D in the Netherlands to a new level.

Jesse Robbers, director, Imec at Holst Centre: “With this lab, we’re taking an important step toward strengthening the Dutch integrated photonics ecosystem. By combining our complementary expertise with TNO and working closely with PhotonDelta, we hope to create an environment where photonics innovations can move more effectively from lab to market.”