Imec and TNO launch Holst Centre Photonics Lab

LEUVEN (Belgium)— May 7, 2025 – 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 partly funded by PhotonDelta.

Accelerating photonics innovation

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 at fostering 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 characterization, free-space 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. 

Strengthening the Dutch photonics ecosystem

Integrated photonics is at the core of a wide range of emerging applications, from LiDAR in autonomous vehicles and non-invasive medical diagnostics to ultra-fast data communications and environmental sensing. The Holst Centre Photonics Lab offers the infrastructure needed to drive innovation in technologies such as connectivity and quantum, and in sectors including healthcare, agri-food, data communication and automotive.

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.” 

“The Holst Centre Photonics Lab exemplifies how strategic funding and collaboration can accelerate photonics innovation, reinforcing the Netherlands' position as a global leader in the field.”  - Ton van Mol, Director TNO at Holst Centre

“Having a dedicated R&D centre like Holst Centre Photonics Lab, is a key proof point of integrated photonics emerging as a critical enabling technology. It provides the essential infrastructure to accelerate the development and deployment of photonic chip-based applications, a vital step from innovation to market-ready solutions.” - Eelko Brinkhoff, CEO PhotonDelta