Modular Photonics signs licensing agreement with SCHOTT on breakthrough optical chip material

Australian glass microchip fabrication business Modular Photonics has signed a strategic license agreement with German multinational SCHOTT on Aldente Glass.

According to a statement from Modular Photonics on Thursday, its Aldente Glass is a breakthrough material, “engineered for ultra-low optical loss in photonic chips and ultrafast laser inscription” and delivering “a major leap forward in optical chip innovation.”

“This investment signals our deep commitment to advancing photonic chip fabrication — with a glass purpose-designed to enable ultra-low loss performance via laser inscription,”  said Modular Photonics CEO, Michael Withford. 

“It’s also a milestone in our evolution, showcasing the growing breadth of our capabilities: from design and materials development  through to packaging and testing.”  

Modular Photonics’ product is designed to enable high-performance 3D photonic integrated circuits, with applications across quantum communications, next-generation telecommunications, and datacom. 

The company – which also credited Microscopy Australia and the  Australian National Fabrication Facility for the development of its specialised glass – added that the agreement reinforced Australia’s “growing leadership in photonics innovation and advanced manufacturing”.

Modular Photonics was established in 2015 by Withford, Simon Gross, Nicolas Riesen and John D. Love, and has offices in Sydney and Adelaide. 

The company was on this title’s inaugural Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers list for 2023.

Picture: supplied

Further reading

Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers revealed

Defence industry partnering for success – Factory of the future tour

What did we learn from Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers?