Münster, Germany, 03.09.2026. Pixel Photonics has launched MULTIWAVE, a 24-month project supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator to expand its single-photon detection technology into new applications including space communications, LiDAR, industrial sensing and biomedical imaging.
The project addresses a key challenge in advanced photonics: many applications require the detection of extremely weak light signals, but existing high-performance single-photon detectors are often difficult to integrate, costly to scale and primarily designed for single-mode optical systems.
MULTIWAVE will extend Pixel Photonics’ waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (WI-SNSPD) technology to multi-mode applications.
Single-mode fibers have a small optical core and are widely used in communication and quantum technologies, while multi-mode fibers have a much larger core and can efficiently collect light from larger optical areas. This makes them particularly attractive for applications where collecting as much light as possible from the environment is essential, such as space communications and sensing. Connecting these larger optical cores efficiently to photonic chips has so far been a significant technical challenge.
“With MULTIWAVE, we are taking our single-photon detection technology beyond its established applications in quantum computing and communications,” says Nicolai Walter, CEO at Pixel Photonics. “The project allows us to develop the technology and manufacturing processes needed to make high-performance photon detection accessible to a much broader range of applications.”
From quantum technology to space and sensing
Pixel Photonics’ technology integrates superconducting nanowire detectors directly with photonic waveguides. These waveguides are tiny structures that guide and route light on a photonic chip, enabling compact and highly scalable integration with other photonic components and fabrication using CMOS-compatible processes. This architecture enables ultrasensitive photon detection while offering a route toward direct integration with photonic circuits.
MULTIWAVE will adapt this approach for multi-mode light, developing an interface for optical fiber cores of 50–100 µm. This development addresses applications where larger optical collection areas are essential. In space communications, using larger fiber cores with highly efficient multi-mode detection allows optical ground stations to use smaller telescopes while still efficiently collecting incoming light. This reduces the size, complexity and cost of the overall ground station and helps optical links detect weaker signals and become more robust to atmospheric effects and beam-pointing errors. In LiDAR and environmental sensing, increased light collection improves signal quality and extends measurement capabilities. Industrial applications benefit from more robust optical inspection and sensing, while biomedical imaging and microscopy can use highly sensitive detection to work with lower light levels and larger fields of view.
Building for scalable production
In addition, MULTIWAVE focuses on manufacturing. Through the project, Pixel Photonics will increase the yield of its wafer-level manufacturing processes and extend foundry compatibility to enable high-throughput fabrication at greater affordability.
This is particularly relevant to quantum computing, where future photonic systems will require large numbers of detectors. Only a scalable manufacturing process can reduce the cost and complexity of producing such systems, while a wafer-level approach supports the development of new integrated photonic architectures.
The project will also demonstrate the multi-mode detector technology in an operational optical communications environment, providing a bridge from laboratory development to real-world applications.
EIC support accelerates commercialization
Founded in 2021 as a spin-off from the University of Münster in Germany, Pixel Photonics has grown to around 40 employees and has already established its core technology in quantum computing, quantum communications and research applications. The company works with partners including QuiX Quantum, Quandela, ORCA Computing, Aegiq and Pasqal.
The EIC Accelerator support enables Pixel Photonics to further improve its technology, expand into new markets and establish the manufacturing capabilities needed to meet commercial demand.
“Europe has leading expertise across quantum technology, photonics and semiconductor manufacturing,” says Nicolai Walter. “MULTIWAVE brings these capabilities together to develop a scalable European technology platform for single-photon detection. This further strengthens Europe’s position in photonics and enables the ecosystem to address new markets with advanced single-photon detection technology.”
With MULTIWAVE, Pixel Photonics envisions making high-performance single-photon detection a practical building block for a wider range of photonic technologies, ranging from quantum systems to the next generation of communication, sensing and imaging applications.
About Pixel Photonics
Pixel Photonics was founded in 2021 as a spin-off of the University of Münster and specializes in high-performance single-photon detector technology. The company’s patented WI-SNSPDs combine scalability, ultra-fast detection rates, and exceptional sensitivity, enabling groundbreaking advances in quantum computing, quantum key distribution, microscopy, and metrology.
Media contact
Henry Donovan
henry@ampyre.co
Info: www.pixelphotonics.com
