Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre de Collaboration MiQro Innovation (C2MI) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to establish Canada and the UK as world-leaders in photonic devices.

The agreement was announced as a delegation from CSA Catapult visit Canada this week.

The MoU will establish a structured and efficient value chain between C2MI, CPFC and CSA Catapult in the photonic application space.

It will encourage the two countries to share strategic priorities and strengthen bilateral collaborations to foster innovation, resilience, and mutual economic benefit.

C2MI building with large glass windows, dark exterior panels, and a reflective water feature under a blue sky. - CSA Catapult

The NRC’s Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC) is the only end-to-end pure play indium phosphide wafer fabrication facility in North America.

The CPFC conducts R&D, new product introduction and volume manufacturing and specialises in custom photonics components and photonic integrated circuits for various applications, including AI, high-performance computing, low energy consumption data centres, telecom, sensing, quantum and more.

Centre de Collaboration MiQro Innovation is a world-class infrastructure centre in the fields of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing, advanced semiconductor assembly, compound semiconductors and electronic systems, and printable electronics.

C2MI’s mission is to accelerate the development and commercialization of essential components for digital and quantum technologies, in a collaborative ecosystem by promoting a sustainable approach and expertise from academia to industry within a world-class infrastructure.

As the UK’s authority on compound semiconductor applications and commercialisation, CSA Catapult helps businesses solve their problems when bringing compound semiconductor products to market.

CSA Catapult’s vision is for the UK to become a global leader in developing and commercialising new applications for compound semiconductors. 

CSA Catapult has extensive expertise in the photonics space, with leading experts in the modelling, testing and validation of compound semiconductor technologies found in telecoms and quantum hardware.

CSA Catapult’s Future Telecoms Hub is a translational research facility specialising in telecoms hardware and technology platforms and focusing on improving the speed, energy efficiency and security of future telecoms networks.

“We’re delighted to sign this MoU with our Canadian partners and look forward to establishing a long and mutually beneficial relationship between ourselves, the UK and Canada.

“Strategic alliances are integral to the UK’s ambition to be a global leader in semiconductor R&D and I am pleased to see CSA Catapult lead the way and strengthen collaborations with our Canadian partners at the centre of a thriving semiconductor industry across the entire value chain.”

Raj Gawera, interim CEO, CSA Catapult

“The NRC’s Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre has a long history of fabricating semiconductors to power the most modern telecommunications and data communications networks, including AI infrastructure.

“Combining our strengths with those of our partners – CSA Catapult and the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre – positions our countries as global leaders in the development and commercialization of semiconductor devices.”

Mitch Davies, President, National Research Council of Canada

“Collaboration is at the heart of what we do at C2MI, and we are proud to be part of this international alliance.

“Our expertise in accelerating the commercialization of semiconductor components will lead to supply chain stability for companies in the photonics market for both our countries.”

Marie-Josée Turgeon, CEO, MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (C2MI)

“This agreement brings together two world-leading nations in semiconductor innovation.

 “Closer ties between the UK and Canada will drive advances in photonics and support resilient, high-tech supply chains across both economies.”

Lord Vallance KCB FRS FMedSci FRCP HonFREng, Minister for Science

Watch on YouTube

To prepare for the signing of the MoU, CSA Catapult, together with CSconnected, hosted a delegation from the Canadian semiconductor sector. The delegation toured our state-of-the-art facilities and met the experts helping businesses overcome challenges to commercialising their products and reaching new markets.

Along with Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government and academics from Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd and Swansea University, visitors heard CTO Nick Singh explain the impact of the South Wales cluster and opportunities to collaborate. Watch below:

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CSA Catapult signs MoU with Canadian innovation partners to boost bilateral collaboration

Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre de Collaboration MiQro Innovation (C2MI) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to establish Canada and the UK as world-leaders in photonic devices.