Europe Launches €50 Million ($58.4 Million USD) ‘Photonics for Quantum’ (P4Q) Pilot Line to Industrialize Quantum Photonic Chips
Summarize this article with:
Europe Launches €50 Million ($58.4 Million USD) ‘Photonics for Quantum’ (P4Q) Pilot Line to Industrialize Quantum Photonic Chips Photonics for Quantum (P4Q), a major European pilot line, has been launched with a €50 million ($58.4 million USD) budget to transition quantum photonic technologies from laboratory research to industrial manufacturing. Coordinated by the University of Twente (coordinator: Pepijn Pinkse), the project is funded through a €25 million ($19.2 million USD) investment from the European Union’s Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU), matched by €25 million ($19.2 million USD) from national governments across 12 participating countries. The consortium of 29 partners—including foundries, research organizations, and industrial players—aims to establish standardized, reliable production techniques for photonic chips that power quantum computing, sensing, and secure communication systems. The primary technical objective of P4Q is to address the reliability and scalability bottlenecks that currently prevent photonic quantum devices from moving into large-scale production. The pilot line focuses on developing and optimizing Process Design Kits (PDKs) and Assembly Design Kits (ADKs) for multiple material platforms, including silicon nitride (SiN), thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN), and alumina (AlOx). These kits will allow designers to create standardized circuits with predictable performance, minimizing light loss and ensuring stability at cryogenic temperatures. By maturing these technologies to Technology Readiness Level 8 (TRL-8) and Manufacturing Readiness Level 8 (MRL-8), P4Q seeks to provide a repeatable “lab-to-fab” pathway for the quantum industry. The project is structured into eight work packages spanning multiple technical pillars, with industry leaders taking specific coordination roles. Sparrow Quantum has been appointed to lead the ‘Quantum Computing Using Photons’ pillar, focusing on the industrialization of deterministic single-photon sources. Other key partners like QphoX and QuiX Quantum are leveraging the pilot line to refine scalable fabrication platforms for quantum frequency conversion and universal quantum processing, respectively. The consortium also includes leading RTOs such as imec, CEA-Leti, and TNO, alongside multinational aerospace and defense firms like Thales and Leonardo, ensuring that the infrastructure meets high-performance industrial standards. The establishment of P4Q is a central component of Europe’s strategy to secure technological sovereignty in the global quantum race. By providing shared access to high-end manufacturing and testing infrastructure, the pilot line lowers the entry barrier for startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop and validate quantum photonic components. This collaborative ecosystem is further supported in the Netherlands by the Quantum Manufacturing Alliance (QMA), led by Brainport Development, which connects quantum developers with high-tech manufacturing specialists to build a cohesive domestic supply chain. Read the official press releases from the University of Twente here, Sparrow Quantum here, and QphoX here. January 21, 2026 Mohamed Abdel-Kareem2026-01-21T16:26:02-08:00 Leave A Comment Cancel replyComment Type in the text displayed above Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.