PhotoNext

PoliTO Interdepartmental Centre for Applied Photonics

Exploring the New Frontiers of Photonics

Technological innovation is driven by the desire to foster societal progress. Although often unnoticed by the general public, photonics plays a strategic role in boosting industrial competitiveness and addressing challenges related to wellbeing, public safety, and sustainable development. PhotoNext is one of Europe’s leading photonics hubs. Established in 2017, the Centre promotes applied and experimental research in optical technologies, bringing together top-tier engineers with expertise in electronics, telecommunications, materials science, transportation, aerospace, and geophysics.

Goals

Break down communication barriers
Optimize resource usage

Key Data

3,

0

€M

Total investment and funding

2,

0

M

University Allocations

0

M

From regional Infra-P projects

0

National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) Projects

Technology & Research Infrastructure

The PhotoNext Interdepartmental Centre benefits from the FIP Infrastructure (Photonics Technologies for Industry 4.0 in Piedmont), PoliTO’s reference facility for photonics—one of the enabling technologies for Industry 4.0.

Technology & Research Infrastructures are facilities, equipment, and services used by the scientific community to conduct research and drive innovation.

Learn more about FIP

Success Stories

CISCO Systems

Collaboration with one of the global leaders in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has led to major achievements in science and technology. The focus has been on optimizing fiber-optic systems and networks and improving their security.

Telecom Italia

Working with Italy’s historic telecommunications provider, the Centre is developing innovative solutions for next-generation fiber access networks (FTTH – Fiber to the Home), aiming to increase both speed and reliability in broadband services for homes and businesses.

The Future challenges of Photonics

In the past two years, PhotoNext has also expanded its focus to emerging quantum technologies, preparing to meet the challenges of research in areas such as quantum cryptography and future optical networks for the quantum internet and quantum computer interconnection.

Italian FS Group

In a long-standing collaboration with the Italian Railway Network (RFI) and the FS Group, the Centre is developing next-generation fiber optic sensors for smart railway tracks—capable of detecting train presence and rolling stock defects with a simple pass. This work lays the groundwork for deploying optical sensors on high-speed and sensitive segments of the railway network.