Ligentec expands beyond silicon nitride with full-stack photonics
Swiss-French photonics foundry Ligentec is moving beyond its reputation for low-loss silicon nitride waveguides, embracing heterogeneous integration to deliver complete photonic functionality. The company is now adding high-speed modulators, detectors, and lasers to its platform, targeting optical computing, connectivity, and sensing markets.
Co-founder Michael Geiselmann highlights Ligentec’s edge: “We combine low-loss waveguides with active components to deliver full functionality on a chip.” Using a single-layer waveguide design, Ligentec achieves compact layouts and low losses, which is particularly advantageous for quantum and lidar applications.
Ligentec’s chips are produced on 200-mm wafers through a partnership with X-Fab, maintaining CMOS-compatible processes from lab to fab. Despite rapid growth, 50% annual business expansion, the company remains self-financed.
Looking ahead, Ligentec plans to scale lithium niobate modulators and III-V detectors/lasers from R&D to volume production. Geiselmann emphasises Europe’s potential in photonics: “Collaboration and a unified approach will allow us to close supply chain gaps and invest in next-generation technologies.”
With its move into full-stack photonics, Ligentec positions itself not just as a materials supplier but as a key enabler of integrated photonic systems, ready for scaling across emerging applications.
