PhotonDelta Pivots to Imaging with New Photonic Chip Strategy
Eindhoven, Tuesday 3 March 2026
PhotonDelta directs deep tech investment toward photonic chips for imaging. This strategic expansion beyond telecommunications could drive optical component costs down to $1 per square millimetre.
A Strategic Pivot to Imaging Architectures
On 2 March 2026, PhotonDelta announced a significant strategic shift, urging the semiconductor ecosystem to expand the utility of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) beyond telecommunications and into the realm of advanced imaging [1]. This initiative aims to fundamentally rethink imaging architectures by replacing bulky conventional optics with scalable, on-chip elements [2]. By integrating these components, the industry can eliminate the need for collimators and simplify the alignment of optical elements, resulting in substantial miniaturisation and reduced energy consumption [1]. The economic implications of this transition are profound; in volume manufacturing, the cost of optical parts could drop to as low as $1 per square millimetre, enabling the fabrication of components that previously cost thousands of dollars directly onto a chip [1].
High-Performance Specifications for Autonomous Systems
The push for PIC adoption is particularly critical for the advancement of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems used in autonomous driving. As of 3 March 2026, the industry faces strict performance and power constraints to make these systems viable for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). System engineers are now required to ensure that the total package—comprising both electronics and PIC components—does not exceed a power consumption of 35 W [1]. Furthermore, these systems must maintain a field of view of 30×120 degrees with an angular resolution between 0.05 and 0.01 degrees to ensure safety and precision [1]. To achieve mass market adoption, the target cost for these high-specification units is set below €150, with a detection range requirement of 300 metres [1]. However, technical hurdles remain, such as managing the insertion loss of Silicon Nitride Optical Phased Arrays (OPAs), which currently exceeds 13 dB [1].
Precision Diagnostics and Augmented Reality
Beyond automotive applications, PhotonDelta’s roadmap targets transformative capabilities in healthcare and consumer technology. In the field of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), new PIC-based systems are achieving diagnostic precision with a vertical resolution of 5 µm and a lateral resolution of 20 µm [1]. These systems operate at scan speeds of approximately 100,000 points per second, offering a penetration depth of 5 mm for skin and 1 mm for retinal analysis, while maintaining a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of at least 60 dB [1]. Simultaneously, the Augmented Reality (AR) sector is demanding optical engines that deliver a resolution of 4 million pixels and a 200-degree field of view in the visible range [1]. A key engineering challenge identified in this sector is the substitution of the digital micromirror device (DMD) with an optical analogue to further reduce power consumption and complexity [1].
Mobilising the Engineering Ecosystem
To overcome the lingering challenges regarding chip fabrication precision and optical losses, PhotonDelta is actively mobilising the engineering community through initiatives like the Global Photonics Engineering Contest [2]. This competition encourages innovators to design next-generation applications that leverage the unique capabilities of photonic chips [2]. By fostering this level of collaboration, the organisation aims to solidify the Benelux region’s position in the global semiconductor value chain, ensuring that the next wave of imaging technology—from medical diagnostics to autonomous mobility—is built upon resilient, European-engineered supply chains [1][2].