€50M European Photonics For Quantum pilot project launched

26 Jan 2026

‘P4Q’ to make photonic chips for quantum apps more reliable and scalable.

Photonics for Quantum (P4Q) is a new pilot across a dozen European countries, is set to start in 2026. In this project, a large consortium will work on new ways to make photonic chips for quantum applications more reliable and scalable.

The coordinator of P4Q, Pepijn Pinkse, from University of Twente, The Netherlands, explained: “Ideas that currently remain in the lab can be grown into really useful devices more quickly.”

The launch announcement added, “As the global race for quantum technology accelerates, Europe wants to strengthen its knowledge and manufacturing capacity. It is precisely at the intersection of photonics and quantum that there is a strategic opportunity there. P4Q is focused on standards and production techniques that are needed to make quantum chips work reliably. That is a crucial step from research to application.”

In the Netherlands, P4Q is supported by Oost NL and financially made possible by Quantum Delta NL, Nanolab NL and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Tangible improvements will address loss of light from chips and glass fibers. Also developing components to remain stable at extremely low temperatures. And photonic circuits that are suitable for integration into larger systems, such as full stack quantum computers, quantum sensors or secure communication networks.

The launch statement outlines P4Q’s application aims – including: sensors to detect minute traces of contaminants in water pipes, for example; and a compact device in a hospital lab that measures extremely weak signals, with a precision that classic technology cannot achieve. “Such applications require reliable photonic chips that work not only in the lab, but also outside it,” says the P4Q document.

The same chips also play a role in large-scale quantum computers and in ultra-secure quantum communication, for example through the exchange of entangled photons. It sounds futuristic. But P4Q is working on the step that is needed to bring these types of technologies to use in companies and research facilities.

P4Q project partners

P4Q brings together 29 partners: universities, research and technology organisations (RTOs) and industrial foundries. Within the project, Process Design Kits and Assembly Design Kits are being developed, among other things, so that design and production are better aligned. Various photonic platforms are also receiving attention, such as silicon nitride (SiN), thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) and alumina (AlOx).

An important part is scaling up test and production facilities. This increases quality and at the same time lowers the threshold for start-ups and smaller companies to get started with quantum photonics. Europe is investing €25 million in this project. The same amount comes from national governments in 12 European countries.

The project is organised into eight work packages and includes small commercial partners, foundries, universities, research institutes, as well as the multinationals. P4Q focuses on technologies that grow into TRL-8 and MRL-8: ready for large-scale demonstration and further industrialisation.

The P4Q project partners comprise: AIT, Aluvia, Amires, AQT, C2N, CEA-Leti, Delft Networks, ICFO, imec, IMS Chips, Leonardo, Ligentec, LioniX International, New Origin, PlanQC GmbH, Q*bird, QphoX, Quandela, QuiX Quantum, Sintef, Sparrow Quantum, Thales Alenia Space, Thales R&T, TNO, TU Delft, TU Eindhoven, Tyndall National Institute, University of Twente (coordinator), and VTT.