Delft, Netherlands – January 20, 2026 – Photonics for Quantum (P4Q) launches in 2026 as a major European pilot project to accelerate the industrial adoption of quantum photonic technologies. QphoX participates as a project partner alongside collaborators from more than a dozen countries. Backed by a €50 million budget, P4Q focuses on making photonic chips for quantum applications more reliable, scalable and ready for repeatable industrial manufacturing.
As global investment in quantum technologies continues to grow, Europe is targeting a strategic advantage at the intersection of photonics and quantum. Coordinated by the University of Twente, Photonics for Quantum unites universities, research institutes, foundries and other industrial partners including QphoX across Europe. The shared goal is to address one of the key bottlenecks in quantum technology: make photonic chips for quantum applications more reliable and scalable through standards and production techniques that enable consistent performance.
At QphoX where we work at the interface between photonic integration and quantum hardware, reliability and scalability are essential. Stable, low-loss photonic components that operate at cryogenic temperatures are a prerequisite for deploying quantum technologies outside controlled lab conditions. In P4Q QphoX will be leveraging its scalable fabrication platform to further develop its photonic interfaces to bring quantum processors and memories to the optical telecom band.
From sensors to ultra-secure communication
In practice, P4Q targets concrete performance improvements: minimize loss of light in chips and glass fibers, which are components that remain stable at extremely low temperatures and photonic circuits designed for seamless integration into larger systems such as quantum sensors or secure communication networks.
These developments support applications ranging from high-precision quantum sensors to secure communication networks, all of which rely on dependable photonic chips. This is an area where QphoX and other industrial partners contribute practical, system-level requirements to the project.
These chips are a key building block for quantum computers and ultra-secure quantum communication, including the exchange of entangled photons. P4Q addresses the gap between promising quantum technologies and their reliable deployment in industrial and research environments.
Broad consortium, shared infrastructure
P4Q brings together 29 partners, such as universities, commercial quantum companies, research and technology organizations (RTOs) and industrial foundries. Within the project, Process Design Kits (PDKs) and Assembly Design Kits (ADKs) are being developed to better align chip design, fabrication and packaging. Multiple photonic platforms are addressed, including silicon nitride (SiN), thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) and alumina (AlOx).
A central element of P4Q is the scaling of test and production facilities. By improving access to shared infrastructure, the project lowers barriers for start-ups and smaller companies, including deep-tech firms such as QphoX to develop and validate quantum photonic components at an industrial level.
P4Q is organised into eight work packages and targets Technology Readiness Level 8 (TRL-8) and Manufacturing Readiness Level 8 (MRL-8), enabling large-scale demonstrations and preparing technologies for further industrialisation.
Europe is contributing €25 million in funding to the project, with an additional €25 million provided by national governments in 11 participating countries. In the Netherlands, P4Q is supported by Oost NL and financially made possible by Quantum Delta NL, Nanolab NL and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
About QphoX
QphoX develops quantum transduction and quantum frequency conversion systems to enable networking between quantum processors, across the optical and microwave spectra. Based in Delft, the Netherlands, QphoX provides technologies that bridge different frequency domains, enabling scalable quantum computing.
For more information, visit www.qphox.eu
Media Contacts:
QphoX: Simon Gröblacher, CEO, press@qphox.eu