About Us

M-ENGINE proposes a unique solution to the rapidly increasing bandwidth demands of data centres. With the massive growth of AI and social media in an increasingly connected world, data centres are expected to account for 20% of Europe’s energy use by 2030, posing a significant challenge to meet the EU’s climate goals.

M-ENGINE offers a scalable solution based on the Nobel prize-winning technology of optical frequency combs to provide highly coherent multichannel lasers for high-capacity, low energy consumption data transmission. M-ENGINE’s solution can replace 100s of individual lasers used in connecting data centres with just one compact system.

M-ENGINE combines Enlightra’s photonic chip technology with XCeleprint’s cutting-edge solution of micro-transfer printing for scalable heterogeneous integration. Eblana Photonics’ high-power distributed feedback lasers will be transformed for transfer printing on the wafer scale, while Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) and Laboratoire Interdisciplinary Carnot de Bourgogne (ICB) will contribute recent breakthroughs in chip-integrated frequency combs enabling increased efficiency and stability. Dublin City University (DCU) will perform independent performance testing for telecom before test devices are sent out to customers for pilot projects.

M-ENGINE will result in a scalable photonic chip engine meeting future data need with reliability, long-term operation, and a clear business case. M-ENGINE’s primary market focus will be data centres, but it will have the flexibility to address related markets, such as photonic computing.

3D image of a photonic integrated circuit of laser comb engine for use in high-capacity data centre communications” Credit – Gustavo Henrique
Ireland
Switzerland
Ireland
Ireland
Germany
France
Prof Liam Barry
Dublin City University

The Radio and Optical Communications Laboratory in DCU has been undertaking detailed investigation and characterization of various optical devices for over 20 years. The laboratory specializes in device and system characterisation of novel semiconductor lasers for direct detection and coherent transmission systems. The laboratory has experience in using standard linewidth measurement techniques and also develops novel phase noise measurement techniques to determine the frequency noise profile of semiconductor lasers. The laboratory consists of 200 m2 of laboratory space and >15 lab members (Postdocs, PhDs, senior researchers) with diverse expertise.

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Dr Richard Phelan
Eblana Photonics

Eblana Photonics was founded in 2001 as a spin-off from Tyndall Institute and Trinity College Dublin. Eblana specialises in the design and manufacture of “Discrete-Mode” DFB-type Laser Diodes from 630nm – 2400nm , for use in optical sensing, metrology and LIDAR and optical communications markets. Eblana’s “Discrete-Mode” lasers are idea for both niche and mass market applications, utilising standardised FP processing and surface lithography in order to manufacture single mode laser diodes – a consistent and highly customisable process. Ultra narrow linewidth devices are produced for use in metrology, LIDAR and atomic clock applications. Custom processes as well as other photonic devices including QCLs, VCSELs, SOAs, SLEDs and lasers arrays are also part of the portfolio.

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Dr Alin Fecioru
X-Celeprint

X-Celeprint delivers the most cost-effective and scalable manufacturing technology for integrating microscale devices such as lasers, sensors, or integrated circuits onto non-native substrates. A wholly owned subsidiary of XTRION NV X-Celeprint works globally with multiple corporations to adapt its micro-transfer printing technology for their specific applications. With over 500 worldwide patents and patent applications, X-Celeprint has a broad and deep patent portfolio covering the fundamental technology of micro-transfer printing as well as applications of the technology. X-Celeprint owns and maintains Micro-Transfer-Printing equipment that resides within Tyndall’s compound semiconductor cleanroom. These print tools are capable of printing to a wide range of substrate sizes and formats, from small pieces up to and including 200mm diameter wafers and have built-in metrology capabilities for yield and placement accuracy measurements.

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Prof Tobias Herr
DESY

DESY is one of the world’s leading centres in accelerator and photon science. About 2700 employees work at DESY, including more than 1100 scientists and about 500 young scientists. The Ultrafast Nonlinear Microphotonics Group has access to state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure including advanced test setups for integrated photonics, continuous-wave, and pulses laser sources as well as optical and microwave test and measurement equipment. Moreover, the group has access to DESY’s HPC cluster for photonic design. The group is a pioneer in the photonic crystal resonator designs to be implemented.

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Dr Erwan Lucas
ICB

The ICB laboratory’s interdisciplinary research forms a continuum from fundamental to applications. Its specialized activities in the fields of optical and electron microscopy, optical fibres, lasers, nanofabrication, quantum nanophotonic, nanomedicine, surface and interface analysis, reactivity, characterization and development of materials (processes, fuel cell, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing, sintering, cements, sensors and non-destructive control) are supported by 5 technological and efficient platforms which have made the laboratory’s reputation with projects of excellence. Multidisciplinary expertise is made available for research projects and at the service of centres and companies in the Region and beyond (national and international).

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Dr John Jost
Enlightra

Enlightra is a startup company led by Dr. John D. Jost and Dr. Maxim Karpov and based in Switzerland. The mission of the company is to use the exceptional properties of optical microresonator to enable advanced laser applications. There is no European company that has these skills and expertise. Enlightra sold the world’s first commercially available microresonator comb source for test and measurement applications. Enlightra is an expert in the following areas which are directly related to the main tasks: Design of microresonator-based photonic systems, and optical packaging of photonic integrated devices. Enlightra currently employs 12 full-time staff with a combined >50 years of experience in chip-scale frequency combs.

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