10 Most important trends in optical systems & integrated photonics

The Netherlands is experiencing rapid growth in its photonics sector, contributing to a €30 billion revenue and an expected annual job growth of 5-20%. Recent strategic partnerships between Dutch universities and global tech firms have accelerated commercialisation pathways for photonic innovations. The PhotonDelta initiative has secured over €1.1 billion in public-private investments through 2030, creating a sustainable ecosystem for long-term growth.

When we started with our silicon nitride platform, people thought we were crazy. Now, companies like IMEC and Intel are copying it.”

- Hans van den Vlekkert, CEO Chilas B.V.

 

The country offers exceptional support for photonics startups, such as a comprehensive startup visa program, tax benefits for innovative companies, access to international talent pools, and a strong network of mentorship and investment platforms.

Its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems in photonics include:

PhontonDelta: An ecosystem that supports startups and scale-ups in the photonics industry, offering access to funding, research facilities, and networking opportunities.

HighTechXL: A venture builder that helps deep-tech startups, including those in the photonics sector, to scale and bring innovative solutions to the market.

StartLife: An accelerator focused on agrifood tech startups, leveraging photonics technologies for sustainable solutions.

With strong educational pathways, diverse roles available, and a supportive entrepreneurial environment, this sector is an attractive destination for international talent.

Dutch photonics research and development aims to address global issues such as climate change, health crises, and sustainable development. Recent breakthroughs in photonic biosensors have enabled rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tools for infectious diseases, reducing detection times from days to minutes. Photonic technologies are also being implemented in smart city infrastructure across the Netherlands, optimising energy usage and reducing urban carbon emissions by up to 30%.

DWDM technology, which allows multiple signal transmissions on the same optical fibre, is key to expanding broadband networks and enabling higher data transmission rates.

Companies like EFFECT Photonics are developing ‘Optical System-on-Chip’ technology to meet the growing demand for bandwidth in telecommunications.

Recent innovations have pushed DWDM capacity to over 800 wavelengths per fibre, dramatically increasing data transmission capabilities.

Researchers at TU Eindhoven have demonstrated DWDM systems that reduce power consumption by up to 75% compared to traditional solutions, making them essential for sustainable digital infrastructure.

Applications of integrated photonics are broadening beyond telecommunications into fields like automotive sensors, medical diagnostics, quantum computing, AI, and industrial automation—opening new markets for growth.

Photonic neuromorphic computing chips, which mimic human brain functions, are being developed to process AI algorithms at unprecedented speeds with minimal energy consumption. The market for photonic sensors in Dutch automotive manufacturing has grown by 45% annually, with lidar systems becoming standard in autonomous driving platforms.

Different regions in the Netherlands are developing specialised photonics expertise, such as medical photonics in Amsterdam, microelectronics integration in Nijmegen, and nanophotonics in Twente.

The Leiden Bio-Science Park has emerged as a hub for biophotonics, with over 20 companies focusing on optical imaging for life sciences. Notable examples include LioniX International, which develops photonic biosensors that can detect disease biomarkers at previously unattainable sensitivities, and LUMICKS, whose optical tweezers technology enables the manipulation of individual molecules for drug discovery applications. The park hosts regular international collaboration events, attracting researchers from Europe and beyond to its state-of-the-art facilities.

Rotterdam's maritime sector has increasingly adopted photonic sensing technologies for port security and automated vessel navigation, creating a distinctive regional specialisation. The Port of Rotterdam now utilises advanced LiDAR systems developed by Delft-based Next Ocean for real-time wave prediction, significantly improving safety during offshore operations. Additionally, RH Marine has pioneered photonic radar systems that function in all weather conditions, enhancing the efficiency of Europe's largest port. These innovations have attracted international maritime technology companies to establish European headquarters in Rotterdam, creating a diverse community of experts from over 25 countries working on next-generation maritime photonics.

Initiatives like PhotonicsNL and PhotonDelta facilitate collaboration among businesses, researchers, and investors—promoting knowledge exchange that spurs innovation across sectors. Events like the Photonics Innovation Summit attract global professionals to discuss the latest trends and collaborate on innovative solutions.

Cross-border collaborations with German and Belgian photonics clusters have increased by 65% in the past two years, creating a European photonics innovation corridor. Virtual networking platforms designed especially for the photonics industry have connected over 5,000 professionals across 25 countries with Dutch expertise.

Investment in education and talent development is a key priority, with universities and companies offering specialised programs and internships to develop the next generation of photonics experts.

The Dutch government has committed €75 million to photonics-specific educational programs over the next five years. Industry-academia partnerships have created 15 new specialised Master’s programs focusing on applied photonics, with scholarships available for international students from emerging economies.

Sustainability is the country’s priority, with ongoing research into energy-efficient technologies that reduce power consumption without compromising performance. Innovations such as low-power photonic devices and energy-saving fibre optics are helping reduce energy consumption while improving performance.

“Integrated Photonics offers unmatched energy efficiency, making it crucial for handling the ever-growing demand for data while supporting global sustainability goals.”

- Dr. Abdul Rahim, Ecosystem Manager PhotonDelta

Photonic integrated circuits developed in the Netherlands have demonstrated energy savings of up to 90% compared to electronic alternatives in data centres. Solar cell efficiency has increased by 22% by applying photonic crystal structures developed at Dutch research institutions.

Researchers are making significant strides in quantum communication, cryptography, and computing. Quantum technologies within photonics applications offer distinctive capabilities in secure communication networks, which could revolutionise information security protocols.

“Quantum photonic computers will exhibit a computational power comparable to 1000 existing supercomputers, a potential breakthrough that will dramatically accelerate our understanding of the current and future world.”

- Simone Cardarelli, Co-founder MicroAlign

QuTech in Delft has demonstrated the first multi-node quantum network based on photonic connections, a crucial step toward a quantum internet. Dutch researchers have achieved quantum encryption key distribution over distances exceeding 100km using integrated photonic circuits, setting new benchmarks for secure communications.

New initiatives focus on developing advanced sensing and monitoring technologies to promote sustainable practices within food production chains.

“One of the trends we see is city farming—growing crops in completely closed systems within buildings. It allows for extremely clean farming without pesticides, optimising the vitamin content of crops.”

- Wilbert Ijzerman, Research Manager Signify

 

Dutch greenhouses equipped with photonic sensors have reduced water usage by 40% while increasing crop yields by 25%. Drone-mounted hyperspectral imaging systems developed in Wageningen allow farmers to identify plant diseases up to two weeks before visible symptoms appear, drastically reducing pesticide use.