In a significant boost to India’s deep-tech ecosystem, the Centre of Excellence for Photonics and Precision Engineering (CoE-CPPICS) at IIT Madras has launched two groundbreaking indigenous silicon photonics products. The launch event was officiated by S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The first innovation is a Fibre Array Attachment Tool, developed in collaboration with Izmo Microsystems. This tool is designed to streamline next-generation photonics chip packaging and is now integrated into Izmo’s commercial packaging facility, enabling scalable, miniaturised silicon photonics production within India.
The second product is a High-Speed Silicon Photonics Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG), a critical component for secure digital infrastructure. Commercialised through the IIT Madras spin-off LightOnChip Pvt. Ltd., the QRNG module serves diverse sectors including defence, secure communications, cryptography, blockchain, and advanced scientific simulations. A unit has already been delivered to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for applications in quantum cryptography.
These launches mark a major milestone in India’s drive for self-reliance in quantum and photonics technologies, reinforcing IIT Madras’ position as a global leader in cutting-edge research and indigenous innovation.