Italy Funds CamGraPhIC (2D Photonics) with 211 Million Euros: Graphene Photonics to Accelerate AI

The European Commission has approved a public funding of 211 million euros in favor of CamGraPhIC, an Italian SME part of the 2D Photonics group, for the development of graphene-based optical transceivers.

The Commission has positively evaluated the measure, considering it necessary, proportional, and possessing an incentivizing effect, as the investment would not have been realized without public support. The intervention was deemed compatible with the internal market and consistent with the strategic goals of the European Union in the field of chips and emerging technologies.

The project addresses one of the main physical limitations of modern artificial intelligence: data transfer. If computing power continues to grow rapidly, communication between chips, accelerators, and memory increasingly represents a relevant bottleneck, especially in data centers and HPC systems.

Optical transceivers enable data transmission through light signals instead of electrical ones, improving speed and efficiency compared to traditional copper connections. Current silicon photonics solutions have already introduced benefits but are beginning to show limitations in terms of energy consumption, latency, and bandwidth density.

CamGraPhIC's approach involves the integration of graphene in photonic circuits. This material, known for its electronic and optical properties, theoretically allows for a significant increase in the amount of data transferred per unit area while simultaneously reducing consumption and thermal dissipation.

The funding will be used to industrialize the technology and bring it out of laboratories. The plan includes the establishment of a production pilot line near Milan, with a planned start-up for 2028. The plant will support the qualification phases of the devices and initial productions, with the goal of achieving processes compatible with large-scale foundries.

In parallel, research and development activities will involve sites in Pisa and Bergamo, along with collaborations with universities and research centers. The project is expected to generate over 150 highly qualified jobs in the fields of photonics, materials, and semiconductor manufacturing.