At a glance
| Booth | I3000 |
| Country | GB |
| Website | www.photarix.com |
Company profile
PHOTARIX is a UK quantum hardware spinout from Lancaster University developing next-generation compound semiconductor light sources for quantum-secure communication, including compact electrically driven single-photon sources. Its semiconductor technology is designed to operate at telecom wavelengths and at, or close to, room temperature, with a route toward chip-scale integration and scalable manufacturing. The device architecture is based on III-V compound semiconductor processes related to established optoelectronic technologies such as VCSELs, providing a practical foundation for future manufacturing and integration. PHOTARIX is addressing a key barrier to practical quantum communication: the need for quantum light-source hardware that is compact, reliable, and easier to integrate into existing fibre and telecom infrastructure. Quantum Key Distribution is identified as the first market, while longer-term opportunities include secure optical links, satellite-enabled quantum communications, and wider quantum-network applications. The company is focusing on device optimisation, system-level validation, and engagement with industrial and research partners to support future deployment and manufacturing. Its stated vision is to turn single-photon generation from a specialist laboratory capability into a practical telecom hardware component for real-world quantum communication systems. PHOTARIX seeks design partnerships and pilot integration with QKD vendors and network operators, use-case validation with telecom, defence, and critical-infrastructure organisations, manufacturing readiness with III-V foundries and packaging partners, validation and certification with research institutes and testbeds, and future product integration with OEMs and satellite communications partners. The company states that its development is supported by ICURe, North West CyberCom, CyberASAP, and Innovate UK Growth Catalyst, and that its technology was developed from Lancaster University research.
Exhibits
PHOTARIX develops compact semiconductor light emitter devices for quantum-secure communication over real-world fibre networks, with single-photon emission and telecom-wavelength compatibility as core device characteristics. Its semiconductor devices emit single photons, described as fundamental building blocks of quantum-secure communication, and its chip-scale light sources are designed to deliver single-photon emission at telecom wavelengths for secure key exchange in real-world fibre networks. The technology is being developed to reduce the cost, complexity, and deployment barriers of secure fibre-based communication and to make quantum-secure communication practical, scalable, and affordable through semiconductor photonic hardware. PHOTARIX presents quantum-secure communication as a way to protect high-value information against current and future threats and states that some high-assurance links may require hardware-level defences grounded in physics in addition to software approaches. Because the approach is intended to work with existing fibre infrastructure, it is positioned as a path from research systems toward real-world deployment as governments, telecom operators, and other high-assurance sectors explore protection against future quantum-era risks. Initial use cases are high-assurance communication environments, organisations exploring practical quantum-secure deployment, and links where long-term confidentiality and trusted hardware matter most, including government, telecom, and financial systems. The light emitters are designed for quantum-secure communication architectures, are based on semiconductor fabrication methods with a path to manufacturability, and are built for fibre-optic network environments. They are also designed as component technology for secure communication systems and OEM integration, directly supporting component-level integration in larger secure-communications hardware. The devices target room-temperature or near-room-temperature operation, reducing deployment complexity compared with cryogenic alternatives. PHOTARIX is moving toward pilot-ready development and future scale-up while looking to work with partners across telecom, secure communications, government, and critical infrastructure.
Capabilities and products
- telecom-wavelength single-photon light sources
- electrically driven single-photon sources
- room- and near-room-temperature quantum light sources