The rapid expansion of AI is driving unprecedented demand for high‑performance optical integration, exposing critical bottlenecks in bandwidth, latency, and energy efficiency. As photonic technologies advance in areas such as optical communications, laser systems, 3D sensing, and spectral imaging, scalable and cost‑effective integration becomes essential. However, traditional manufacturing approaches struggle to meet requirements for increasing integration density, precise alignment, and efficient fiber‑to‑chip coupling. Wafer‑level fabrication offers a path forward, enabling compact and reliable photonic components through precise control of nanostructure geometries, including lenses, gratings, mirrors, and waveguides. Within this landscape, UV Nanoimprint Lithography (UV‑NIL) has emerged as a key enabling technology, providing high‑resolution patterning, large‑area scalability, and accurate alignment for complex 3D structures. Its compatibility with diverse materials and suitability for both R&D and mass production make it particularly valuable for AI‑driven applications such as Silicon Photonics, Co‑Packaged Optics, microlens arrays, DFB laser gratings, and advanced coupling interfaces.
Thomas Achleitner is a Business Development Manager at EV Group, concentrating on Micro and Nanoimprinting for diverse applications, such as nanophotonic elements and wafer level optics. Thomas holds a degree in Innovation and Product Management from University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. He has accrued several years of experience as a Senior Process Engineer in Nano Imprinting Lithography, specifically focusing on diffractive optical elements for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality devices.