標竿中心(1)：Platform Photonics Research Center (PPRC), The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan (Director: Namiki Shu)

(https://unit.aist.go.jp/pprc/en/index.html)

The information and communications technology to support Society 5.0 is demanded to be of large capacity, low power consumption, low latency, and high security in all areas from the global scale to inside the chip. Although photonics excels at all of these, there is a need to create new type of photonics suitable for the next-generation information infrastructure technologies for which virtualization is further advanced. At the Platform Photonics Research Center, we are actively pursuing external collaboration, and are conducting research and development such as into (1) building an ecosystem for expanding the deployment of silicon photonics technology developed by the National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, which is the foremost in the world, (2) heterogeneous materials integration and large-scale optical chip technology, (3) opto-electronics integration and co-packaging technology, (4) large-scale optical switching system technology, and (5) optical network virtualization technology. By using these technologies as a nucleus, we are aiming to create technology that can be utilized as a seamless "platform" for photonics in cyber-physical systems.

標竿中心(2)：Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC), RMIT University, Australia (Director: Arnan Mitchell)

(https://www.rmit.edu.au/research/centres-collaborations/integrated-photonics-and-applications-centre)

The Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre was established in 2020 to create impactful integrated photonic technologies through continuous end-user engagement to deeply understand real-world problems. Our team pioneers breakthrough science in the field of integrated photonics coupled with rapid and systematic iterations to deliver a consistent stream of outcomes to end users. We are determined to be pioneers of fundamental science and cutting-edge technology but with a commitment and track-record in translating this technology into practical solutions. Our Centre aims to address real world problems in three areas of focus spanning the data, defence and biomedical fields.

1. Biomedical applications: Rather than taking days in the lab, viruses can be detected faster and more accurately on site at a doctor’s clinic or in a patient’s home, all directly at the point of care.

2. Defence applications: Faster and more precise sensing will make self-driving cars safer, autonomous space-borne objects (like satellites) more controllable, and defence systems more accurate.

3. Data communications applications: Complex and isolated systems can be turned into tiny chips that provide blazing fast internet speeds.

標竿中心(3)：Photonics Research Group, Ghent University, Belgium (Director: Dries Van Thourhout)

(https://photonics.intec.ugent.be)

The Photonics Research Group (about 85 people) is associated with IMEC, and is part of the Department of Information Technology of Ghent University. The group is headed by Prof. Dries Van Thourhout and has been active in photonics device research for many years. The other professors in the group are Roel Baets, Peter Bienstman, Wim Bogaerts, Stephane Clemmen, Alberto Curto, Bart Kuyken, Nicolas Le Thomas, Yanlu Li, Geert Morthier, Gunther Roelkens and Kasper Van Gasse.

The research focus is integrated photonics, from design and technology development to system implementation and application-oriented research. Central themes include silicon photonics and heterogeneous integration. The application space is broad and includes telecommunication and datacommunication, computing, sensing and medicine. The group has well-equipped clean rooms and measurement labs. Furthermore the group is a regular user of (semi-)industrial technology platforms for photonic integration, in particular through multi-project-wafer offerings. The research results of the group have led to an ecosystem of spinoff companies on- or near-campus. The main research directions are silicon nanophotonics, heterogeneous integration, optical communication, photonic (bio)sensors and photonic integrated circuits for biomedical applications in the near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelength range. More in particular, the silicon nanophotonics work focuses on the design and fabrication of SOI-based photonic devices using standard lithographic techniques compatible with CMOS-processing. 

The Photonics Research Group has been coordinating the network of excellence ePIXnet and is involved in a number of EU-projects, including the H2020 projects ActPhast4R, AQUARIUS, CALADAN, FUN-Comp, Hydroptics, InSiDe, INSPIRE, MedPhab Pilot Line, MIRPHAB Pilot Line, PIX4Life Pilot Line, MORPHIC, NEBULA, Neoteric, TopHit and PhotonHub. The group also host two EOS Research projects, INTERREG projects and several ITNs (MICROCOMB, OMT, WON, Phonsi). Furthermore, the group is partner of the Center for Nano- and Biophotonics of Ghent University and leads ePIXfab, the European Silicon Photonics Alliance.