Blog

As PhotoGeNIC enters its final phase, the project has achieved a major milestone: successfully demonstrating high-performance 940 nm VCSELs grown on germanium substrates. Several 940nm VCSEL on Ge wafers were produced using MOCVD and MBE technologies, with three already showing...

🚗🔬 How do advanced photonic technologies make LiDAR systems smarter and more reliable? In our latest PhotoGeNIC interview, Pieter Verhulst from XenomatiX explains why VCSEL arrays are becoming an important light source for LiDAR and 3D sensing applications. Their scalability,...

🔬 Why is germanium attracting attention in photonics research? In the #PhotoGeNIC project, Umicore supplied specially engineered germanium substrates that enabled the development of innovative VCSEL technologies. According to Guillaume Courtois, germanium offers several advantages, including improved material properties and...

🔬 From simulation to reality: understanding the path of innovation in photonics In the #PhotoGeNIC project, researchers combined advanced photonic modeling with experimental validation to better understand and optimize VCSEL technologies. By following the complete development process, from device design...

🔬 How can photonics be integrated more efficiently with silicon electronics? Within the #PhotoGeNIC project, researchers are developing innovative VCSEL technology on germanium substrates, opening new possibilities for scalable and cost-effective photonic devices. Recent work has demonstrated promising advances in...

We talked to Wlodek Strupinski (former VIGO) to take a closer look at the journey and impact of the PhotoGeNIC project. The interview reflects the project’s progress and achievements, highlighting how the consortium successfully developed and demonstrated VCSEL technology on...

  The partners of the PhotoGeNIC project recently convened for a technical meeting in Villach, Austria, on 12–13 May 2026. The meeting was hosted at the premises of TECHNIKON and brought together representatives from across the consortium.  The gathering provided...

We’re excited to share the latest issue of the PhotoGeNIC newsletter! In this edition, we highlight the technical progress achieved across our work packages and present two recent publications in renowned journals. Curious to learn more about our latest results...

On November 27th, 2024, the partners of the PhotoGeNIC project convened for a technical meeting in Olen, Belgium. Hosted by project partner Umicore, the gathering was a crucial opportunity to align on the project’s ambitious goals as it enters the...

The PhotoGeNIC team recently convened at our partner, LAAS-CNRS in Toulouse, for a technical meeting on February 15, 2024. This gathering marked a significant milestone in our journey of exploration and innovation, providing a platform for in-depth discussions and strategic...

San Francisco recently played host to one of the most anticipated events in the realm of photonics: PhotonicsWest 2024. From February 5th to 10th, 2024, attendees from around the world converged to explore the latest developments in photonics. PhotonicsWest stands...

As the VCSEL sector is developing dynamically with lasers’ production expected to triple in the next five years, PhotoGeNIC, with its innovative Ge-VCSEL solution, has the potential to be a game changer for the photonics industry. The new technology developed...

In the next part of our series “Welcome our Game Changers” we would like to introduce you to VIGO takes over the technical lead role in PhotoGeNIC and monitors and manages the research and innovation activities. VIGO is also the...

We were also happy to talk to Guilhem from Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS. In PhotoGeNIC, Guilhem is especially looking forward to working on the demonstrators together with the other industrial partners of the consortium. In addition, CNRS-LAAS...

The PhotoGeNIC team is driven by the desire to provide high performance and reliable laser technology to be integrated with leading edge CMOS technology as well as LiDARs. The ambition is to compare and demonstrate the advantages of the implementation...

We also had the pleasure of interviewing Ivan from Umicore. Ivan thinks it is amazing that the whole supply chain is involved in PhotoGeNIC and to work with experts from different fields. Umicore’s main task is, among other things, the production...

We also had the opportunity to interview Jorrit from XenomatiX. Jorrit is looking forward to working on the new generation of VCSELs and LiDARs at PhotoGeNIC.

We had the opportunity to talk with our WP5 Lead Roland Jäger from  pmdindustrial gmbh. In his interview, Roland talks about his role in the project, what he is most looking forward to in the next 3 years in the project and...

In the next part of our series “Welcome our Game Changers” we would like to introduce you to “We at pmd are proud to be part in a strong and experienced European team of companies and institutes aiming a breakthrough...

In the next part of our series “Welcome our Game Changers” we would like to introduce you to   “As a LiDAR development and manufacturing company, XenomatiX is looking forward to follow-up and support the research activities with real-life application...

To give a better idea of the project and the minds behind PhotoGeNIC, we will start with the introduction of our partners and a statement of what they are looking forward to in the next 3 years. The beginning of...

The EU funded Horizon Europe project PhotoGeNIC launched with the kick-off meeting on 27th-28th October 2022 in Villach, Austria. Project partners gathered to plan, organize and designate duties for the next 36 months. The upcoming work and tasks in the...