MicroAlign’s ultra-precise fibre arrays boost PIC integration
Eindhoven-based startup MicroAlign is making waves in the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) sector with its ultra-precisely aligned fibre arrays, tackling one of the biggest bottlenecks in chip-to-fibre integration.
The company has developed ready-to-integrate fibre arrays assemblies of optical fibres encapsulated in glass blocks capable of tenfold higher alignment accuracy and 75 times lower fibre-to-chip coupling loss than traditional methods. These advancements are crucial for PIC developers seeking high-performance, scalable optical networks. “Every photon counts in photonic quantum computing, and these fibre arrays set a new benchmark for connectivity efficiency,” says MicroAlign CEO Simone Cardarelli.
Founded in 2021 by Cardarelli and CTO Marco Fattori, the startup emerged from PhD research at TU Eindhoven. Embedded in the PhotonDelta ecosystem, MicroAlign has leveraged shared expertise and local networks to refine its technology and target high-end photonic applications. While the company initially pivoted toward quantum computing, its fibre array solutions are broadly applicable to telecom, sensing, and other PIC-driven industries.
This year, MicroAlign delivered 100 fibre arrays to paying customers and is preparing to scale production with a 500-square-meter facility slated to open in 2026. The plant aims to produce up to 100,000 fibre arrays annually, supporting industry demand for high-precision, low-loss integration.
Cardarelli highlights the technical challenges behind their approach: “Fibre behaves chaotically when handled, so automating this delicate process requires precision engineering and deep expertise.” Looking ahead, MicroAlign aims to become the gold standard for PIC fibre connectivity, potentially supporting the next generation of high-performance photonic systems.
