Photonics21

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Photonics21 SRIA 2023–2030

The Photonics21 SRIA 2023–2030 positions photonics as a strategic enabler of Europe’s industrial autonomy, digital transition, and environmental sustainability. It links deep-tech research to societal impact through innovations in sensing, manufacturing, healthcare, and communications.

For OPENVERSE, Photonics21 provides the hardware and infrastructure layer for immersive, interconnected, and sustainable virtual environments. Collaboration between the two domains would anchor OPENVERSE’s XR, sensing, and display systems in Europe’s strategic photonics leadership while contributing to broader goals of trust, sovereignty, and sustainability.

Basic Identification

Initiative / Partnership Name: Photonics21 – European Technology Platform for Photonics

Full SRIDA Title & Version: Photonics21 Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda 2023–2030

Publication / Last Update Date: June 2023

Governing Body / Association: Photonics21 Association and the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC); supported by the European Commission (DG RTD).

Type: Industry-led Public–Private Partnership under Horizon Europe (Photonics Partnership, successor to Photonics PPP).

Website / Source: https://www.photonics21.org

Strategic Orientation

Vision Statement:

To make Europe the world leader in sustainable photonics innovation, enabling a sovereign, digital, and green economy through next-generation light-based technologies.

Core Mission / Objectives:

1. Strengthen European industrial competitiveness in photonics manufacturing and innovation.
2. Deliver photonics solutions for the twin transition (green and digital).
3. Secure technological sovereignty in strategic areas like semiconductors, quantum, and sensing.
4. Contribute to Europe’s social well-being and sustainability through energy-efficient and trustworthy photonics applications.

Strategic Pillars:

• Photonics for a Digital Europe – connectivity, quantum communication, and AI integration.
• Photonics for a Sustainable Europe – green manufacturing, energy-efficient lighting, and environmental monitoring.
• Photonics for Health and Security – diagnostics, imaging, and resilience of critical infrastructures.
• Photonics for Industrial Leadership – next-gen production technologies and deep-tech start-up scaling.

Expected Outcomes / KPIs:

• European leadership in laser manufacturing and optical communications.
• New photonics-based production and sensing technologies by 2030.
• Strengthened European supply chains for chips and optoelectronic components.

Policy Alignment:

• Horizon Europe (Cluster 4);
• Digital Europe Programme;
• Chips Act;
• The European Green Deal;
• Artificial Intelligence Act;
• European Industrial Strategy.

Technological and Thematic Priorities

Domain / Sector	Focus Areas	Application Fields
Digital Infrastructure & Connectivity	Optical fibre networks, LiFi, photonic integrated circuits, quantum photonics.	6G, cloud-edge, and high-performance computing infrastructure.
Manufacturing & Industry 4.0	Laser processing, additive manufacturing, sensing, and inspection.	Smart factories, automotive, aerospace, and robotics.
Health & Life Sciences	Photonic sensors, diagnostic imaging, minimally invasive surgery.	Personalized medicine, point-of-care diagnostics.
Sustainability & Environment	Lighting efficiency, renewable integration, monitoring air/water quality.	Energy and environmental sustainability.
Quantum & AI Integration	Quantum photonics, neuromorphic optics, and AI-enabled image processing.	Secure communications, autonomous systems, smart sensors.

Cross-cutting Topics: standardisation, digital skills, SME participation, green and circular photonics, secure supply chains, and social acceptance.

Synergies: With Chips JU (for microelectronics), EuroHPC (for computing), 6G-SNS (for communication), AI-Data-Robotics (for AI/ML integration), and EIT Manufacturing.

Governance and Ecosystem

Leading Organisations: Photonics21 Board of Stakeholders (industry + research representatives).

Stakeholder Groups: Industry (large and SME), academia, research institutes, start-ups, and policy makers.

Engagement Mechanisms:

• Annual Photonics Partnership Board meetings.
• Working Groups (8 domains, including Digital Infrastructure, Health, Manufacturing, and Sustainability).
• Public consultations feeding into Horizon Europe Work Programmes.

Update Frequency: Every 2–3 years.

Contact / Participation Info: Open membership via photonics21.org; collaboration with EC and national innovation agencies.

Building-Block Crosswalk

EC Technical Building Block	Photonics21 Implementation
Cloud–Edge–HPC Continuum	Optical interconnects and energy-efficient photonic circuits for data transmission.
AI & ML	AI-enhanced optical sensing and imaging.
Quantum Computing & Security	Quantum communication and encryption via photonics.
Sustainability & Energy Efficiency	Green photonic manufacturing and energy-saving lighting systems.
Sensing & Digital Twins	Optical sensors and imaging for industrial and environmental twins.
Data Spaces & Interoperability	Standardisation and integration of optical systems with digital platforms.
Skills & Capacity Building	Training through PhotonHub Europe and university networks.

Alignment with Virtual Worlds

Photonics is a key enabler of high-performance, immersive, and energy-efficient virtual environments. The Photonics21 SRIA underpins many of the technical backbones that OPENVERSE depends on—connectivity, sensing, display technologies, and sustainability.

SRIDA Document Metadata

Keywords / Tags: photonics, optics, lasers, quantum, AI, sustainability, energy efficiency, 6G, HPC, XR.

Referenced Horizon Europe Clusters: Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry & Space), Cluster 5 (Energy, Mobility).

TRL Range: TRL 4–8.

Investment Priorities: manufacturing sovereignty, quantum communication, green photonics, AI-photonics integration.

Policy References:

• Horizon Europe;
• Chips Act;
• Artificial Intelligence Act;
• Digital Europe Programme;
• The European Green Deal,
• Industrial Strategy.