DAS PHOTONICS SL

Their core work

DAS Photonics is a Valencia-based SME that designs and builds photonic integrated circuits and subsystems for satellite communications, radar, and sensing applications. They specialize in converting radio-frequency signals into the photonic domain, enabling smaller, lighter, and more flexible payloads for telecom and Earth observation satellites. Their work spans from biophotonic diagnostic chips to space-grade photonic components for high-throughput satellite systems, with a strong pivot toward space and defense photonics in recent years.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

DAS Photonics started with a broader photonics portfolio — biophotonic diagnostics (C-POC, COBIOPHAD) and early satellite payload work (OPTIMA) dominated their 2015-2017 period, alongside combustion imaging for aero-engines (CIDAR). From 2018 onward, they sharply concentrated on space-grade RF-photonic systems, with PhLEXSAT (their largest project at EUR 1.1M) and RETINA focusing on satellite payloads and synthetic aperture radar. The most recent projects (TERAOPTICS, SIOMO) signal expansion into terahertz frequencies and optomechanical oscillators, suggesting they are pushing their photonic expertise toward next-generation communications infrastructure.

DAS Photonics is consolidating around space communications photonics while expanding into terahertz frequencies — expect them to pursue next-generation satellite and 6G-related photonic projects.

How they like to work

DAS Photonics balances coordination and participation roles, having led 3 of their 9 projects — a high ratio for an SME, indicating confidence in project management and consortium building. With 41 unique partners across 12 countries, they maintain a broad European network rather than relying on a fixed set of collaborators. Their mix of RIA and IA projects shows they operate comfortably across both research exploration and closer-to-market innovation actions.

DAS Photonics has built a wide network of 41 unique partners across 12 countries, reflecting strong pan-European reach. As a Spanish SME coordinating 3 projects, they are well-connected in both space and photonics research communities.

What sets them apart

DAS Photonics occupies a rare niche as an SME that can deliver space-qualified photonic components — most companies in this space are either large aerospace primes or university labs. Their ability to coordinate EU projects while being a small company signals strong technical credibility and reliability as a partner. Their cross-domain photonic experience (from medical diagnostics to satellite payloads to terahertz systems) makes them unusually versatile for consortium builders looking for photonics expertise that can adapt to different application domains.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PhLEXSAT
  Their largest project (EUR 1.1M) as coordinator, developing photonic ADC/DAC and digital processing for flexible high-throughput satellites — represents their strategic direction.
• RETINA
  Coordinated a EUR 864K project on miniaturized photonics-enabled SAR, demonstrating their ability to lead ambitious space sensing projects as an SME.
• TERAOPTICS
  A Marie Curie training network (2020-2025) spanning communications, security, and radio-astronomy — signals their move into terahertz frequencies and next-generation research.