Electronics Can’t Keep Up The world wants faster and smarter technology. Most electronics use electricity to send tiny particles called electrons through wires. But electricity can only go so fast. It also uses a lot of energy. That’s why scientists are turning to light instead. This is called photonics. What Is Photonics? The word photonics…
Completion: Done
From Research to Outreach – How C-PIC Builds Public Understanding of Photonics
Silicon photonics (SiPh) holds transformative potential across a wide range of industries – from telecommunications and healthcare to quantum computing and environmental sensing. However, realising this potential requires more than technical excellence – it demands public understanding that drives investment, policy support, and crucially, the talent pipeline needed to fuel a thriving ecosystem of SiPh-enabled…
CORNERSTONE Open Platform
More coming soon! Open Data, Open Simulation, Open Fabrication, Open Metrology Soon you will be able to share simulation results, data, fabrication recipes, metrology and much more. Find out more by contacting our PDK team via pdk.cornerstone@soton.ac.uk
Advancing Silicon Photonic Development with Wave Photonics Process Design Kits
Silicon photonics (SiPh) holds enormous potential to transform industries ranging from telecommunications and data centres to medical diagnostics and environmental sensing. However, the promise of SiPh can only be realised if there is sufficient technological access and the sophisticated process required for its commercial deployment are simplified. Overcoming variations in manufacturing and ensuring consistency in…
CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre Launches Open GitHub Repository at ECOC 2025
The CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre (C-PIC), the UK’s dedicated Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) for silicon photonics, has announced the launch of its new Open Platform at the European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC) 2025 on 29th September. The platform marks a major step towards open-source collaboration in photonics, providing researchers, innovators, and industry partners…
Thank you for your application
Become a member of the CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre (C-PIC) We are excited to launch the first phase of the C-PIC membership scheme, bringing together a dynamic community of experts, innovators, and industry leaders. Our initial focus is on elevating the profile of silicon photonics in the UK, but we welcome international partners who are keen to contribute to and…
CORNERSTONE at the Physics Partners Festival – Getting Photonics into the Hands of Teachers
Earlier July 2025, we had the pleasure of joining the Physics Partners Teachers’ Festival at Winchester College—a fantastic one-day event bringing together physics teachers, technicians and educators from across the UK. Set in the beautiful grounds of Winchester College, the festival gave us the opportunity to speak directly with teachers about the real-world applications of photonics—and…
Bespoke Silicon Photonics Fabrication
Tailored Processes. Total Control. CORNERSTONE’s bespoke silicon photonics fabrication service gives you full control over your development pathway. From custom layer stacks and etch depths through to backend testing and validation, you define the process while we provide the expertise. Our industry-standard equipment and procedures help accelerate your journey from design to fab, to lab,…
Live and upcoming calls
Future calls will be published here. Coming soon: C-PIC Innovation Fund – support for academics looking to start-up. To be the first to hear about upcoming calls, become a C-PIC member.
