Success in a highly competitive, and ever-evolving, market like photonics often requires being in the right location, with the right opportunities, and the right level of support. According to innovation commissioner Kristi Shalla, Swiss Business Hub USA fits the bill. The Swiss Business Hub USA is the first point of contact for the photonics ecosystem in Switzerland. As a representative of Switzerland Innovation in the United States, the group can help photonics companies learn about the innovation ecosystem and research facilities available in Switzerland using a tailored, individualized approach.
Laser Focus World: What are some of the current trends in Switzerland?
Kristi Shalla: Current trends in photonics in Switzerland include the development of novel materials and devices, the use of photonics for biomedical applications, and the integration of photonics with other technologies. Switzerland is also a leader in the development of photonic systems for telecommunications and data centers, and in the use of photonics for fundamental physics research such as quantum computing and communication. For example, it is worth mentioning that ETH Zurich—together with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)—is building quantum computers, which will be used in research and application.
LFW: What should businesses know about the business climate in Switzerland?
KS: Switzerland topped the list of most innovative countries in the world because we have a highly collaborative approach, and we are here to make sure the photonics industry continues to thrive through international partnerships.
Switzerland has a stable and business-friendly environment, which has contributed to its status as a global economic hub. A few key points are the well-developed legal system that provides a high level of protection for businesses and investors as well as pragmatic authorities. Also, Switzerland has a highly educated and skilled workforce and a modern and efficient infrastructure, including a well-developed transportation system and a high-quality telecommunications network. Also, Switzerland is at the heart of Europe, making it an ideal location for companies looking to do business in the region.
LFW: What makes Switzerland an attractive location for innovation-focused photonics and optics companies?
KS: Switzerland is a leader in photonics research and development, with a strong tradition of innovation in this field. It is home to a number of world-renowned research institutes and universities that are actively engaged in photonics research, as well as a number of companies that are involved in the development and commercialization of photonic technologies. The Swiss government is supportive of photonics research and development, and provides funding and other incentives to companies operating in the field.
Switzerland stands above the competition in laser and photonics technology. Much of this technology grew out of Swiss academic labs, such as the Tobias Kippenberg lab at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL):
- MiraEx creates optical to microwave converters
- MicroR Systems creates optical frequency combs (lasers with precise color separation)
- Ligentec makes integrated photonic circuits
- Menhir Photonics makes ultrafast (femtosecond) lasers
ETH and PSI are building a new joint quantum computing hub. This hub is designed to scale up the latest ETH discoveries in superconducting and trapped ion qubit systems. One future goal is to create open testbed systems at PSI. Park Innovaare is located on the PSI campus.
The ETH Zurich – PSI Quantum Computing Hub’s central aim is to target the technical and scientific challenges on the way to realizing large-scale quantum computers based on both superconducting circuits and trapped ions. Under the scientific leadership of ETH professors and Quantum Center members Andreas Wallraff and Jonathan Home, scientists and engineers develop a range of devices that serve as testbeds for the two leading technologies. Their deliberate co-location in a dedicated building amid large-scale national research infrastructure on the PSI campus in Villigen, Canton of Aargau makes the Hub a unique facility allowing it to leverage synergies across the entire technology space.
