LUCEDA

Their core work

Luceda Photonics is a Belgian SME specializing in photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design software and related engineering services. They provide tools and expertise that enable the design, simulation, and layout of silicon photonics and silicon nitride photonic chips. Their H2020 involvement spans pilot line development for visible-light photonic circuits, microresonator frequency comb research, and next-generation germanium-silicon photonic components — consistently positioned as the design software partner in hardware-focused consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Luceda's earliest H2020 work (PIX4LIFE, 2016) centered on passive silicon nitride photonic circuits for life science applications, with no specific keywords recorded — suggesting a broad platform role. By 2019-2022, they engaged with fundamental photonics research (frequency combs, nonlinear optics) through MICROCOMB, and their most recent project (SIPHO-G, 2021-2025) marks a clear shift toward active photonic components: modulators, photodetectors, and high-speed optical transceivers using germanium-silicon. The trajectory shows movement from passive waveguide design toward full active-passive photonic system design capability.

Luceda is expanding from passive PIC design tools into active component simulation (modulators, detectors, transceivers), positioning itself for the growing datacom and telecom photonics market.

How they like to work

Luceda has never coordinated an H2020 project — they consistently join as a participant or third-party partner, which is typical for a specialized software SME that provides design tools to hardware-driven consortia. With 35 unique partners across 12 countries from just 3 projects, they plug into large, diverse consortia rather than leading small teams. This suggests they are a sought-after niche contributor: easy to integrate, low overhead, and valued for a specific capability that many photonics projects need.

Despite only 3 projects, Luceda has worked with 35 unique partners across 12 countries — a wide network for an SME of this size. Their base in Ghent places them at the heart of Belgium's photonics ecosystem (imec, Ghent University), with reach across Western and Northern Europe.

What sets them apart

Luceda occupies a rare niche: they are one of very few European SMEs offering dedicated photonic IC design software, making them a natural partner for any consortium building or manufacturing photonic chips. Their tool-provider role means they complement rather than compete with fabrication facilities and research labs. For consortium builders, adding Luceda brings design automation capability that strengthens any photonics proposal without duplicating existing partners' hardware expertise.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PIX4LIFE
  A pilot line project for silicon nitride photonics in the visible spectrum — rare intersection of integrated photonics and life science applications, with Luceda's largest single funding (EUR 346K).
• SIPHO-G
  Their most recent and forward-looking project, targeting next-generation GeSi components for optical transceivers — directly relevant to the booming datacom photonics market.
• MICROCOMB
  An MSCA training network on microresonator frequency combs where Luceda participated as a third party, connecting their commercial design tools to fundamental photonics research.