Category Archives: Press Release
3 December 2025
Zurich, Switzerland and Brussels, Belgium
Polariton, a technology leader in optical connectivity for next-generation data infrastructure, announces the industry’s first plasmonic electro-optic modulator platform integrated on 200 mm silicon photonics. It was confirmed delivering an electro-optic bandwidth exceeding 110 GHz. This milestone combines ultra-high-speed performance with a scalable platform designed for high-volume production, significantly reducing wafer area and enabling integration through established global semiconductor supply chains. Advancements at the platform level eliminate data bottlenecks and deliver a future-proof architecture optimized for lower power consumption, enabling customers to scale efficiently while meeting the demands of AI infrastructure.
This achievement was made possible through collaboration with imec in the framework of PhotonHub, the pan-European one-stop-shop photonics innovation hub funded by the European Union. The silicon photonics chips were fabricated on the iSiPP200 platform, made available via imec’s IC-Link division and compatible with manufacturing foundry processing. Polariton integrated its plasmonic devices in the back-end following the silicon photonics process flow, ensuring compatibility with existing foundry infrastructure.
Polariton’s plasmonic technology builds on silicon photonics and extends its capabilities with a portfolio of high-performance modulators, including Mach-Zehnder and IQ modulators, as well as ring-resonator modulators. These resonant devices are ideally suited for 400G and 800G per lane IM/DD applications. The technology enables high-speed electro-optic modulation across both O and C bands, supporting future scalability across wavelength ranges. Measurements confirmed that the plasmonic modulators integrated on imec’s iSiPP200 platform achieve an electro-optic bandwidth exceeding 110 GHz, underscoring the platform’s capability for ultra-high-speed applications.
“Integrating plasmonics into imec’s silicon photonics platform is a major step toward volume production of ultra-fast modulators. This achievement addresses the scalability demands of next-generation data centers and demonstrates that our plasmonic technology is compatible with established silicon photonics platforms, so customers can confidently build on their trusted manufacturing partners,” said Wolfgang Heni, co-Founder and COO of Polariton.
“PhotonHub is proud to empower companies with direct access to leading photonics expertise and infrastructure in Europe. This collaboration demonstrates how connecting the right partners drives innovation and creates value for the industry. It’s a clear example of how to deliver competitive advantage and inspire new opportunities across data and AI markets.”
Hugo Thienpont, Director of VUB Brussels Photonics and coordinator of PhotonHub.
About Polariton Technologies
Polariton is a Swiss designer and manufacturer of high-performance photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for ultra-high-bandwidth and low-power applications in communication, computing, test & measurement, space and quantum technologies markets. Exceptional performance is achieved by combining the established silicon photonics platform with plasmonic active devices enabling operation in sub-THz and THz regimes, in particular with Mach-Zehnder and ring resonator modulators.
Follow Polariton on LinkedIn @polariton-technologies and visit the website.
About PhotonHub
PhotonHub is a pan-European photonics innovation hub that aims to accelerate the uptake, integration, and deployment of photonics technologies by European industry. It serves as a one-stop-shop for companies, particularly SMEs and non-photonics companies, providing access to a broad range of services and expertise to support photonics-led innovation across diverse industry sectors. PhotonHub has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program under the Grant Agreement n° 101189537 in Public Private Partnership with Photonics21. For further details on the various supports offered and how to apply, visit PhotonHub.eu
Media Contact(s)
Helena Echeverri
info@polariton.ch
+41 44 589 51 51
New investment from the European Commission is helping innovators exploit the unique properties of light technologies to add smart features and improve the performance of their products through a proven ‘one-stop-shop’ photonics innovation factory.
Called “PhotonHub PHACTORY”, the new €15 million initiative offers expert support, fast-track access to Europe’s leading laboratories, and generous subsidies.
Delivered through a trusted one-stop-shop model, the initiative makes high-end photonics support faster, easier, and more accessible than ever.
As the science and technology of light, photonics is integral to many applications and is a key enabler to breakthroughs in emergency medical diagnostics, solar energy for a greener future, and quantum communications, for example.
This new programme dramatically lowers the barrier to entry, offering EU subsidies that can cover up to 85% of project costs, making it low-risk for businesses. It aims to help companies achieve a wider and faster uptake, integration, and deployment of photonic technologies, boost competitiveness and foster new business.
With over thirty European partners, the new framework covers the entire value chain from early-stage concept (TRL2) and prototyping (TRL3-4) to upscaling (TRL5-7). It spans a wide range of cutting-edge technology platforms, facilitating open access and guided orientation to the broadest possible range of photonics expertise, equipment and technologies available from the best facilities throughout Europe.
Led by Brussels Photonics (B-PHOT) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the initiative builds on the success of PhotonHub Europe, which to date has helped over 100 companies deliver more than €750 million in new revenues, create 1,000 jobs and raise €250 million in venture capital in just four years.
Professor Hugo Thienpont, Director of Brussels Photonics and coordinator of the PhotonHub programme, said: “We are delighted to continue to promote and support photonics innovation through PhotonHub PHACTORY. This €15M programme funded by the European Commission will be instrumental in creating opportunities for collaborative innovation projects for wide-ranging sectors over the next four years, enhancing European sovereignty in this rapidly growing industry.”
Light Speed Innovation
By streamlining access to talent, facilities and funding, the new programme condenses what might normally take years — from a feasibility study to building and testing prototypes — into a matter of months.
“Because it’s built on a cross-border network, a firm in the Netherlands could seamlessly partner with a German lab or Italian research team, accelerating collaborative outcomes across the EU.
“Building on our impact to date and in response to the needs of the market, we are extending PhotonHub’s previous offering to also support entrepreneurially minded researchers and start-ups. We look forward to guiding these early-stage ventures as well as established SMEs and scaling companies in their commercial and technical development through photonics-led innovation,” said Professor Thienpont.
Hugo Thienpont, coordinator of the PhotonHub programme
Tailored Support Packages
The PhotonHub PHACTORY team is offering tailored support streams for EU companies, depending on their stage, technology readiness level (TRL) and strategic ambitions. These include a Launchpad for spinouts and start-ups, a Scaling Club for fast-growing ventures, and bespoke Business Coaching for established SMEs and some large-scale companies aiming for market growth.
“Our goal is simple: to help European businesses shine in the global marketplace – with photonics lighting the way,” said Nathalie Debaes, Consortium Management Support Officer for PhotonHub PHACTORY. “We facilitate direct access to the very best expert partners across Europe to support projects ranging from initial feasibility studies to prototype or demonstrator development to upscaling. Any interested companies can apply at www.photonhub.eu, and applications can be reviewed on a rolling basis. All support is cross-border, with companies collaborating with innovation partners elsewhere in the EU.”
The framework, which runs until the end of 2028, targets small and mid-sized firms across all sectors, offering tailored support depending on their needs. This includes expert assessments on technical and commercial viability at no cost, access to Europe’s researchers and laboratories, and training and coaching across various industries.
PhotonHub operates a continuous open call – interested companies can apply online now as the first step on their photonics technology innovation journey. All discussions and correspondence are conducted in English.
Learn more at photonhub.eu