Integrated Photonics Bootcamp in collaboration with Smart Nano NI
Open date: Tuesday 1 July 2025 Close date: Thursday 7 August 2025
Overview
Digital Catapult, in collaboration with the Smart Nano NI consortium, is pleased to host a Photonics Bootcamp at our Belfast office. This interactive, in-person training programme is designed to address the critical skills gap in integrated photonics across Northern Ireland’s innovation ecosystem.
Over two days, participants will receive hands-on training in photonic chip design, testing, and applications—delivered by Light Trace Photonics and Smart Nano NI Consortium Partners. The bootcamp covers essential topics including photonic integrated circuits, insertion loss, polarisation, thermo-optic phase shifting, and validation processes.
The programme aims to upskill local engineers, raise awareness of the potential of photonic technologies, and lay the groundwork for innovation across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, agritech, and communications.
Participants will also engage directly with the Smart Nano NI consortium—a strategic collaboration driving advanced prototyping and smart manufacturing in the region.
By equipping engineers with the foundational skills to develop and validate photonic chips, the bootcamp fosters a digitally advanced, globally competitive, and self-sustaining local industry.
Join the programme
Programme Benefits:
Benefit from in-person training delivered by leading specialists from Light Trace Photonics and Digital Catapult, covering real-world applications, design principles, and chip validation processes.
Discover how photonic chips can solve industrial challenges and create new commercial opportunities for your business or research.
Connect with other innovative companies, engineers, and researchers from across Northern Ireland, and engage directly with the Smart Nano NI consortium.
Equip yourself or your team with emerging tech capabilities that will be crucial to staying competitive in the global innovation landscape.
Learn about the journey and ambition of the Smart Nano NI consortium.
Who should apply?
Established startups or SMEs
that can clearly identify a need for upskilling in Industrial Photonics that can contribute to solving a challenge or challenges that they are willing to identify within their organisation.
Engineers and Technicians
Particularly those working in electronics, optics, manufacturing, or communications who want to expand their skillset into integrated photonics.
Product Designers and Technical Leads
Those interested in incorporating photonic technologies into future product development.