PhotoniX: PHOTOconversion for Novel Integrated X-systemsbroad
PHOTONIX · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-03-01–2029-02-28
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDEROPEN · scheme HORIZON-EIC · topic HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDEROPEN. CORDIS record →
Objective
PhotoniX aims to revolutionize laser technology by introducing a radically new class of solar-powered, Thulium-doped fiber lasers (TDFLs) that directly convert sunlight into coherent mid-infrared (midIR) laser radiation at 2 µm. This groundbreaking approach bypasses traditional electricity-dependent laser pumping, enabling energy-autonomous photonic systems critical for terrestrial and space applications. The project addresses major barriers limiting current solar-pumped fiber lasers (SPFLs), such as inefficient solar coupling, suboptimal excitation dynamics, thermal instability, and fundamental étendue constraints inherent in incoherent solar radiation.PhotoniX targets three transformative breakthroughs: a novel sun-tracking adaptive optical system optimized for efficient side-coupling of spatially incoherent sunlight into multi-mode fibers; advanced double- and triple-clad multi-mode optical fibers engineered for solar pumping with robust thermal management; and the first demonstration of a continuous-wave SPFL emitting at practical power levels in the mid-IR regime. By leveraging interdisciplinary expertise, the consortium will validate a compact, high-performance laser prototype at TRL 4, achieving quantum efficiencies over 30%, an order-of-magnitude improvement compared to current SPFL technologies.The project's integrated approach combines innovative solar optics, tailored optical fibers, and novel laser cavity designs, overcoming longstanding scientific and technological hurdles. This will open unprecedented opportunities across advanced manufacturing, biomedicine, quantum photonics, and particularly in energy-autonomous photonic systems crucial for deep-space exploration, resilient healthcare, and sustainable industrial applications. Fully aligned with the EIC’s vision, PhotoniX offers transformative societal and economic impacts by enabling clean, deployable, electricity-independent photonic solutions.
Beneficiaries (4)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CYPRUS INSTITUTE | CY | coordinator | €611,569 | |
| KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE | DE | participant | €693,562 | |
| USTAV FOTONIKY A ELEKTRONIKY AV CR V.V.I. | CZ | participant | €531,600 | Yes |
| LUMOSCRIBE LTD | CY | participant | €470,000 | Yes |
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