NLM Photonics and LIGENTEC make first silicon nitride organic hybrid modulators

NLM Photonics and LIGENTEC say they have produced the first Silicon Nitride Organic Hybrid modulators on a commercial photonics platform, with Spark Photonics supporting the design. The proof-of-concept devices point to a path for active silicon nitride components in sensing, quantum and other visible-wavelength applications.

Why it matters: - Silicon nitride can work at wavelengths where traditional silicon photonics cannot, including the visible spectrum. - The new modulators show a route to add active functions to a passive SiN platform. - That could expand silicon nitride use in sensing, quantum photonics and other applications that need visible or near-visible light.

What happened: - NLM Photonics and LIGENTEC produced the first Silicon Nitride Organic Hybrid modulators on a commercial photonics platform. - Spark Photonics helped design the proof-of-concept devices. - The devices use NLM’s organic electro-optic materials. - NLM says the work establishes that NOH modulators are possible on SiN.

The details: - Silicon absorbs light in the visible and near-visible range, which limits silicon photonics to telecom wavelengths. - Silicon nitride has a wider transparency window that extends into the visible spectrum. - SiN also offers low propagation losses from the visible range to 2.5 μm. - SiN is still a passive platform, so lasers, modulators and detectors require integration with other materials. - NLM partnered with LIGENTEC for fabrication and Spark Photonics for layout. - NLM developed the SiN/OEO integration process, including metallization, OEO deposition and poling. - The process was adapted for the nitride platform. - The devices use a supplemental metal layer and an OEO film as back-end-of-line steps. - NLM says that approach fits into mature SiN manufacturing flows. - The company says optimized NOH designs could create a scalable foundation for active SiN devices. - NLM says its OEO materials offer high electro-optic efficiency and can be tuned for target applications.

Between the lines: - The collaboration signals movement from lab concepts toward manufacturable photonic components on a commercial platform. - If the devices scale, silicon nitride could become more competitive for integrated photonics at wavelengths beyond silicon’s comfort zone. - The work also suggests heterogenous integration on SiN may lower barriers for efficient, high-speed active devices. - Dr. Lewis Johnson, NLM’s co-founder and CTO, called the collaboration a key milestone in developing commercial NOH PICs. - Michael Geiselmann, LIGENTEC’s co-founder and CCO, said the technology expands the range of modulator options on nitride. - Kevin McComber, CEO of Spark Photonics, said the collaboration lowers the barrier to building efficient active devices at wavelengths where traditional silicon cannot compete.

What's next: - NLM says it will optimize the designs to make the devices compact and efficient. - The company is targeting next-generation quantum and sensing applications. - Dr. Lewis Johnson will discuss the proof-of-concept NOH modulator at ECOC 2026 in Malaga, Spain. - The discussion will take place at the LIGENTEC booth, #1368, on Tuesday, September 22 at 1 PM CEST. - More information is available at NLM Photonics.

The bottom line: - NLM Photonics and LIGENTEC have shown that organic hybrid modulators can be built on a commercial silicon nitride platform, opening a potential path to active photonics beyond traditional silicon.