How Does Canada Expand and Strengthen its Photonics Ecosystem?

In a study on the photonics industry, the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) concluded that four countries—China, the United States, Germany, and Japan—account for nearly 75% of global photonics components production. Canada, leveraging its robust research and industrial capabilities, continues to vie for global market share in this sector.

With its vast territory spanning 9,984,670 square kilometers, Canada ranks among the largest countries globally, following Russia and Antarctica. Unlike Lithuania, renowned for its prowess in ultra-fast laser technology despite its small size, Canada appears formidable across various photonics domains—whether in research capabilities and infrastructure or industry-academic cluster activities.

According to the Canadian Photonic Consortium (CPC), the country boasts over 400 companies in this field, employing over 20,000 individuals and generating approximately $4.6 billion in annual revenue. With an average growth rate of 10%, Canada's photonics sector sees 65% of its products exported worldwide. In terms of research capabilities, it boasts participation from over a dozen research institutions dedicated to photonics studies.

Canada's photonics industry boasts a rich heritage and a vibrant entrepreneurial scene.

Historical data indicates that Canada has been a pioneer in the global photonics arena for the past 60 years. For instance, in 1976, Bell Northern Research installed the first fiber optic network, marking significant progress following a decade of fiber optic research. This research eventually led to the birth of a legendary spin-off company that quickly evolved into a global player in the telecommunications industry—the Nortel Networks Corporation.

Despite its dissolution during a protracted bankruptcy process that began in 2009, Nortel Networks remains a "national treasure" for Canada. Its technological legacy and mindset continue to profoundly influence Canada's optoelectronics industry ecosystem. Today, the Canadian optoelectronics landscape features numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rooted in the Nortel era.

In addition to SMEs, Canada's photonics sector receives support from universities, research institutions, domestic and international suppliers, and partner companies, forming a comprehensive ecosystem. This ecosystem is particularly active between Quebec and Ottawa, providing robust support for photonics research and development in Canada.

Ontario is renowned for biophotonics, while Quebec is known for sensing technologies. The Ottawa region traditionally serves as the hub for Ontario's optoelectronics industry, home to notable communication enterprises like Nortel, JDS Uniphase, Cisco, and Alcatel-Lucent Canada. Quebec's optoelectronics industry is primarily composed of SMEs, showcasing significant diversity and encompassing various application domains.

Over the past 60 years, historical data reveals Canada's pioneering role in the global photonics field. For instance, in 1976, Bell Northern Research installed the world's first fiber optic network, marking significant progress after a decade of fiber optic research. This research eventually gave rise to a legendary spin-off company that swiftly evolved into a global participant in the telecommunications industry: Nortel Networks Corporation.

Nortel Networks is often hailed as a "national treasure" for Canada. Despite its dissolution during a protracted bankruptcy process that began in 2009, its technological legacy and mindset continue to profoundly impact Canada's optoelectronics industry ecosystem. Today, Canada's optoelectronics landscape features numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rooted in the Nortel era.

In addition to these SMEs, Canada's photonics field receives support from universities, research institutions, domestic and international suppliers, and partner companies, forming a comprehensive ecosystem. This ecosystem is particularly vibrant between Quebec and Ottawa, providing robust support for photonics research and development in Canada.

Ontario is renowned for biophotonics, while Quebec is known for sensing technologies. The Ottawa region traditionally serves as the hub for Ontario's optoelectronics industry, hosting notable communication enterprises like Nortel, JDS Uniphase, Cisco, and Alcatel-Lucent Canada. Quebec's optoelectronics industry is primarily composed of SMEs, showcasing significant diversity and encompassing various application domains.

Vibrant Science and Entrepreneurship Scene

From every angle and perspective, one thing is abundantly clear—the Canadian optoelectronics industry not only boasts a rich tradition but also steadfastly focuses on the future.

In fact, Canadians have long intertwined lasers and optical fibers. Since the late 1960s, Canada's research and industry have made significant contributions to the telecommunications revolution based on fiber optics and lasers. Notably, the world's first CO2 laser originated from the Quebec region of Canada. In the late 1960s, Jacques A. Beaulieu invented the high-power gas laser excited transversely at atmospheric pressure—commonly known as the CO2 TEA laser. This invention not only showcased Canada's leading position in laser technology but also provided a crucial tool and platform for subsequent photonics research.

In the Quebec region, photonics research has received widespread attention and support: institutions like the National Optics Institute of Canada (INO), the Optics, Photonics, and Laser Center (COPL) at Laval University, the Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC), and eight other universities in Quebec are all engaged in photonics research.

These research institutions not only nurture the next generation of scientists but also continuously push the boundaries of research, giving rise to numerous startups. Of the 220 companies involved in optoelectronics in Quebec, one-third have been established in less than a decade. These 220-plus companies command 50% of Canada's optoelectronics industry, each providing photonics applications across 3-4 different industries.

March 2022 saw the Canadian government invest $240 million CAD (approximately $187 million USD) to boost the country's semiconductor and photonics sectors, aiming to enhance its global standing. This marked a pivotal development in its photonics advancement.

Presently, alongside photonics systems, integrated photonics components, and specialty optical fibers, mid-infrared laser technology garners significant attention in Canada's photonics domain. Startups like LumIR Lasers, founded in 2019, set ambitious goals from the outset, dedicating themselves to democratizing mid-infrared technology and ushering in a new laser revolution across all industrial sectors.

Femtum, a company spun off from the Centre for Optics, Photonics, and Lasers (COPL) at Laval University in 2017, is also planning to develop mid-infrared fiber lasers with wavelengths ranging from 2.8 to 3.5 micrometers. Their pulsed laser systems enable novel precision processing of non-metal materials, such as thin-film patterning or polymer and semiconductor processing, aiming to enhance manufacturing output and return on investment in high-tech industries like semiconductors.

OPTONIQUE Cluster

In a country boasting vast geographical expanse, the formation of industry clusters is a natural progression.

The Pavilion of Optics and Photonics (POP), opened in 2006 at Laval University in Quebec City, houses the Centre for Optics, Photonics, and Lasers and serves as the administrative headquarters for the Canadian Photonic Innovation Institute.

The non-profit Photonics Progress Organization—Quebec Photonics Network (QPN), acting as a network and information hub, strives to bring together companies, government departments, and organizations involved in the photonics industry in the region.

The Centre for Optics, Photonics, and Lasers (COPL) is Canada's largest university research center for optics/photonics.

Established in 2017, the Quebec OPTONIQUE cluster has become a significant milestone in the development of Canada's photonics industry. The cluster brings together participants from various fields, including startups, SMEs, multinational corporations, research institutions, and universities, building a support network for startups transitioning from academia to market. Many young companies have successfully transitioned from the startup phase to scaling up and have firmly established themselves in international markets.

Two-thirds of the member companies of the OPTONIQUE cluster generate revenue from exports. Quebec and Canada have impressive trade office networks worldwide, including in Munich and Berlin, Germany.

The OPTONIQUE cluster frequently showcases its products at trade fairs such as LASER World of PHOTONICS in Munich, with a dedicated Canadian exhibition area. For international startup companies, there are even programs allowing integration into academic-related incubators, such as those specialized in photonics and quantum technologies like Quantino.

Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC)

The CPFC is a pure III-V semiconductor foundry operated by the National Research Council of Canada, boasting state-of-the-art manufacturing and measurement technologies.

The CPFC responds to the Canadian government's Semiconductor Challenge Callout and the CPFC Revitalization Plan, providing expertise and infrastructure for companies and research institutions and regularly undertaking international collaborative projects.

As the only publicly operated compound semiconductor foundry in North America, the CPFC specializes in designing and manufacturing devices made from indium phosphide (InP), gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium nitride (GaN), and other materials. Its services include designing and manufacturing photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and discrete photonics devices, including lasers (DFB/BHET), detectors, amplifiers, and modulators. The CPFC has a validated reference design library, including manufacturing implementations, from which new process chains can be explored.

Canadian Photonic Industry Consortium (CPIC)

The Canadian Photonic Industry Consortium (CPIC) is a business-led photonics exchange organization covering the entire value chain from researchers to photonics companies and end-users. Its mission is to provide networking opportunities for end-users, the photonics industry, universities, and institutions, aiming to accelerate Canada's industry through photonics.

The Canadian government currently supports the development of three innovation centers, focusing on (1) quantum technologies for communications, sensing, or computing, (2) semiconductors and digital technologies, and (3) batteries and clean technologies. In all these fields, startups, SMEs, and large enterprises are actively driving and positioning photonics solutions. These centers provide financing and venture capital facilitation for startups active in these areas.

Optical Education and Skills Training in Canada

Many universities across Canada host photonics groups or centers. Algonquin College in Ottawa offers diploma and bachelor's degree programs, while students at Laval University can pursue a Master's degree in Biophotonics. McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, offers a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Photonics Applications, and the University of Waterloo in Ontario provides educational certificates for professionals in photonics. Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, even offers a Graduate Certificate in Laser Studies.

Globally, the field of photonics has long suffered from a shortage of trained engineers and technicians. The Canadian Photonic Consortium (CPC) notes that Canada is no exception: "Beyond university education, opportunities for primary and secondary school students to engage with photonics are limited."