Photonic breadboards: next generation components for net-zero photonics research

到2035年，光子学将成为英国第三大生产力制造业，光子集成电路（PICs）将实现许多创新。PICs的发展虽然是必要的，但需要许多对环境产生负面影响的能源密集型循环。这些开发周期是必需的，因为一旦制造，设备的布局就不能在没有额外制造的情况下得到改进。在Light Trace Photonics，我们正在开发下一代光学元件，超越当前基于光纤的元件的有限范围，并且无需额外制造即可实现可重构性。我们的组件模块提供高性能，可调谐的光学组件，可用于减少将光子产品推向市场所需的能源密集型开发周期的数量。至关重要的是，我们的核心技术是持久的，因此可以在其生命周期内租赁给多个用户，有助于促进循环经济。我们的创新，如果推向市场，将有助于减少光子学创新的足迹，这对于帮助英国解决许多其他关键的战略挑战至关重要，如老龄化社会和未来的流动性。

Photonics is set to become the UKs third most productive manufacturing sector by 2035 with many innovations enabled by photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The development of PICs, whilst necessary, requires many energy intensive cycles which negatively affect the environment. These development cycles are needed because once fabricated the layout of the device cannot be improved without additional fabrication. At Light Trace Photonics, we are developing the next generation of optics components that go beyond the limited scope of current fibre-based componentry and which enable reconfigurability without additional fabrication.Our component modules provide high-performance, tunable, optics componentry that can be used to cut the number of energy intensive development cycles required to bring photonic products to market. Crucially, our core technology is long lasting and therefore can be leased to multiple users over its lifetime, helping to contribute to the circular economy. Our innovation, if brought to market, will help reduce the footprint of photonics innovation - crucial for helping the UK tackle many of its other key strategic challenges such as the ageing society and future mobility.