Lighting Up Creativity: Silicon Photonics Chip Scratch-Art at the Arts & Humanities Festival

The Southampton Cultural Quarter came alive during this year’s Arts & Humanities Festival, where Emily joined the Optics and Photonics Society (OpSoc) for their Play with Scientists and Light activity day.

On Saturday 8 November, the CORNERSTONE Public Engagement Team brought colour, curiosity, and hands-on learning to the festival with a new Silicon Photonics Chip Scratch-Art workshop. The activity created a relaxed space for families, students, and visitors to explore how light-based technologies sit behind many of the tools we use every day.

At our station, participants were introduced to photonics — the science and technology of light — and learned how waveguides direct light through silicon microchips. Using example chip layouts and wafers, we talked about how these components underpin high-speed data communications, sensing technologies, and other emerging applications.

Everyone had the chance to create their own scratch-art inspired by chip patterns. As the dark coating was gently removed, bright lines appeared beneath, echoing the etching processes used in silicon photonic chip fabrication. Some people followed reference designs, while others experimented freely with shapes, stencils, animals, and abstract patterns. The results were varied and thoughtful, offering a tactile way to connect artistic expression with real technology.

Alongside the scratch-art, visitors explored additional light-based activities, including kaleidoscope making, Pepper’s Ghost illusions and infinity mirrors. Each of these encouraged people to investigate how light and reflection can transform what we see.

“It was wonderful to see how quickly people connected with the activities. Many had never heard of silicon photonics before, yet the moment they held a wafer or looked closely at a chip, you could see their curiosity spark. What I enjoyed most was the mix of creativity and conversation — children proudly showing their artwork, parents asking thoughtful questions, and students realising that light-based technologies play a role in things they use every day. Bringing science and art together in this way made the whole day feel welcoming and open to everyone.” – Emily reflected.

 

We look forward to building on this workshop for future events and continuing to make photonics accessible to people of all ages, helping them discover both its creativity and its practical role in modern life.