What Bay Photonics does

Bay Photonics Ltd is a UK specialist photonic assembly and packaging services company founded in 2007 by Glenn George and Larry Clarke (ex-Bookham Technologies) and headquartered at the Electronics & Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) in Paignton, Devon. The company provides end-to-end services — design and simulation (optical, RF, mechanical, thermal, environmental), die and wire bonding, sub-micron active and passive optical alignment, hermetic sealing (seam and projection welding), precision fusion fibre splicing, and reliability testing to MIL-STD and Telcordia standards — for photonic integrated circuits, semiconductor lasers, detectors, modulators, and hybrid optoelectronic modules. Proprietary platforms include the BEVi and mini-BEVi standardised PIC evaluation modules (14.6–17.1 dB alignment efficiency), the SIDEWINDER industrialised narrow-linewidth ECDL laser (up to 140mW at ~780nm) for quantum applications, and the HiQuED thermoelectrically-cooled InGaAs balanced detector (TO8 hermetic, 1000–1600nm). The company serves quantum technology (computing, QKD, sensing), defence and security, telecommunications, medical, space, marine, and AI/data communications customers. In April 2026, Bay Photonics was acquired by AMS Technologies AG, a publicly listed German photonic systems provider, creating a three-site European platform (Paignton UK, Hanover Germany, Krakow Poland). Revenue is generated via project-based custom quotations, direct enterprise sales, and recurring participation in Innovate UK and H2020 collaborative R&D consortia; ISO 9001:2015 (2025-2028) and ISO 14001:2015 (2026-2029) certified.

Name

Bay Photonics

Legal name

Bay Photonics Ltd

Website

https://bayphotonics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bay Photonics is a UK-based specialist in photonic integrated circuit assembly and packaging, providing design, alignment, hermetic sealing, and testing services to quantum, defence, telecom, medical, space, marine, and AI customers; since April 2026 it operates as part of AMS Technologies AG across a three-site European platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Photonic Assembly and Packaging Services

NAICS

Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronic / Photonics Foundries (Silicon Photonics/LED/Laser) (HDAHACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quantum Photonics & Quantum Imaging (Single-Photon, Lidar, Ghost Imaging) (HDAGAHAF), Optical Transceivers (SFP/SFP+/SFP28/QSFP/QSFP-DD/OSFP) (HDAFAEAE), Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM), Quantum Satellite Communications (Space-Based QKD & Links) (HDAGAFAH)

Keywords

• Photonic integrated circuits
• Photonic packaging services
• Fibre splicing solutions
• Quantum photonic packaging
• PIC assembly

Headquarters

HQ city

Paignton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Photonics Assembly and Packaging Services: Project-based custom photonic assembly and packaging services ranging from R&D feasibility studies and prototyping to low-to-medium volume production. Revenue is generated through direct client engagements for bespoke photonic device packaging, optical alignment, hermetic sealing, and testing services.
2. Design and Development Services: In-house design and simulation services covering optical, RF, mechanical, thermal, and environmental performance. Provides PIC design guidance, rapid prototyping, and design for volume manufacture as part of full-lifecycle photonics projects.
3. Testing and Validation Services: Optical and electrical characterisation, reliability testing, environmental screening (Telcordia, MIL-STD), bond/shear/push/pull testing, leak testing, and environmental qualification. Delivered as part of assembly contracts or as standalone testing services.
4. Component Procurement and Supply Chain Management: Bay Photonics can manage procurement through qualified supplier networks, working with customer-supplied parts or handling full component procurement as part of project delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bay Photonics is a UK-based specialist manufacturer offering photonic integrated circuit (PIC) assembly and packaging services, including fibre splice and component packaging as well as quantum photonic packaging. The company also develops and sells proprietary photonic evaluation and detector products such as BEVi, Mini-BEVi, the SIDEWINDER laser, and the HiQuED detector for use by photonic device developers and researchers.

Product overview

Bay Photonics is a photonic assembly and packaging services company offering a platform of specialized products and manufacturing services. The core offering includes proprietary evaluation modules (BEVi and Mini-BEVi) for photonic integrated circuit packaging, specialized lasers (SIDEWINDER) for quantum applications, and high quantum efficiency detectors (HiQuED). These are supported by comprehensive photonics assembly and packaging services including design and development, die/wire bonding, optical alignment, hermetic sealing, and fiber splicing. The company focuses on quantum technologies, defense, medical, marine, space, and telecommunications applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BEVi (Bay Evaluation Vehicle) A proprietary photonic integrated circuit evaluation/test vehicle platform developed by Bay Photonics, used by photonic device researchers and developers to characterize and validate PICs.
• Mini-BEVi A compact version of the Bay Evaluation Vehicle (BEVi), offering a smaller-footprint photonic integrated circuit evaluation platform for photonic device characterization.
• SIDEWINDER Laser A laser product developed and sold by Bay Photonics for use within photonic systems and applications.
• HiQuED Detector A detector product developed and sold by Bay Photonics for photonic measurement and sensing applications.
• Photonic Assembly and Packaging Services Core contract service offered by Bay Photonics for the assembly and packaging of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), serving research institutions and commercial photonic device manufacturers.
• Fibre Splice and Component Packaging Specialist service providing fibre splicing and packaging of photonic components for customers requiring precise optical fibre integration with photonic devices.
• Quantum Photonic Packaging Specialist packaging service for quantum photonic devices, supporting the development and manufacture of quantum technology components requiring photonic packaging expertise.

Quantifiable outcome

• BEVi PIC packaging achieved 15.6 dB alignment efficiency (FVA to PIC Loop to FVA, ports 1 and 16) after adhesive cure, close to the 13 dB nominal optimum. Across all assembled BEVis, efficiencies ranged from 14.6 to 17.1 dB, demonstrating process consistency and reliability.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oxford IonicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 August 2025Oxford Ionics partnered with Riverlane and Bay Photonics for the UK's Quantum Missions Q-Surge project, which will upgrade QUARTET — Oxford Ionics' full-stack trapped-ion quantum computer installed at the UK National Quantum Computing Centre's Harwell campus — to include 2D qubit connectivity. Bay Photonics contributes photonic packaging expertise to support the quantum computing hardware upgrade.
• RiverlanecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRiverlane joined Oxford Ionics and Bay Photonics as a consortium partner in the UK Quantum Missions Q-Surge project, contributing quantum error correction technology to the QUARTET quantum computer upgrade at the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre.
• Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (F-CAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerF-CAP and Bay Photonics collaborated on the Innovate UK-funded SIDEWINDER project to develop a robust, industrialised, narrow linewidth laser for quantum processes. F-CAP designed and characterised the ECDL prototype; Bay Photonics industrialised the design and manufactured production units. Bay Photonics shipped three SIDEWINDER lasers to F-CAP for integration with Redwave Labs' stabilisation electronics.
• National Physical Laboratory (NPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPL is a UK project partner in SANTANA — a next-generation quantum atomic clock development project led by Bay Photonics alongside Sacher Lasertechnik and TU Berlin. NPL contributes resonator design expertise and world-class test infrastructure to ensure optical performance meets quantum technology standards. NPL also partners on QFOUNDRY (£5.8M Innovate UK project) and TERAPOD (EU H2020).
• Sacher LasertechnikcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSacher Lasertechnik (Marburg, Germany) leads the development of high-performance semiconductor laser chips for the SANTANA project — a next-generation quantum atomic clock development led by Bay Photonics in collaboration with NPL and TU Berlin. This is an international partnership drawing on deep domain expertise across photonics, materials, and precision measurement.
• Technische Universitat Berlin (TU Berlin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTU Berlin applies photonic wirebonding expertise to deliver the crucial optical interface between the laser and SiN cavity platform in the SANTANA quantum atomic clock project. TU Berlin is a project partner alongside Bay Photonics, NPL, and Sacher Lasertechnik.
• Phlux TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhlux Technology is a lead partner with Bay Photonics in the Innovate UK £1.5M MARCONI project to develop and demonstrate high-fidelity, modular, and scalable quantum key distribution (QKD) receiver modules. Phlux Technology also partners with Bay Photonics in the Innovate UK semiconductor skills consortium alongside the University of Sheffield.
• University of GlasgowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Glasgow is a consortium partner in the MARCONI QKD project (£1.5M Innovate UK), contributing silicon photonics expertise alongside Bay Photonics' packaging capabilities. The university is also a partner in the HiQuED balanced detector project and the AIRQKD quantum secured telecommunications project.
• Chase CryogenicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChase Cryogenics is a consortium partner in the MARCONI £1.5M Innovate UK QKD receiver development project alongside Bay Photonics, Phlux Technology, University of Glasgow, Redwave Labs, Fraunhofer CAP, and University of Cambridge.
• Redwave LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRedwave Labs provides stabilisation electronics for the SIDEWINDER quantum laser project and is a consortium partner in multiple Bay Photonics quantum projects including MARCONI (£1.5M QKD receivers) and SPLICE (quantum gas sensing). Redwave Labs is also a partner in the HiQuED balanced detector project.
• Cornerstone (University of Southampton)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCornerstone (University of Southampton's silicon photonics platform) led the Innovate UK-funded PIC Bootcamp programme with Bay Photonics as a packaging partner. Bay Photonics assembled and fibre-aligned the Cornerstone Bootcamp PIC, packaging it within the BEVi evaluation module. Cornerstone's silicon photonics platform is combined with Bay Photonics' advanced assembly and packaging capabilities in the programme.
• University of BristolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Bristol is a partner in the PIC Bootcamp Innovate UK programme alongside Bay Photonics and Cornerstone. The university contributes to the UK photonics and microelectronics manufacturing skills base, with emphasis on commercial readiness and deployment.
• Wave PhotonicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWave Photonics is a partner in the PIC Bootcamp Innovate UK programme alongside Bay Photonics, Cornerstone, and the University of Bristol, contributing to the UK's integrated photonics packaging capability development.
• QLM Technology LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQLM Technology Ltd (Bristol-based quantum sensing start-up) leads the Innovate UK SPLICE project for quantum-enabled gas sensors, with Bay Photonics providing photonic packaging and fibre optic expertise. Bay Photonics also partnered with QLM on the Q3MD mid-IR sensing project, developing hermetically sealed TO packages for detector chips cooled below -50 degrees C. QLM also partners on the SANTANA quantum atomic clock project.
• National Grid / National Grid Gas plcminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Grid Gas plc is a consortium partner in the SPLICE Innovate UK project alongside Bay Photonics and QLM, contributing to the development of quantum-enabled gas sensors for detecting industrial natural gas leaks.
• BP plcminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBP plc collaborated with Bay Photonics and QLM in the SPLICE project for quantum-enabled gas sensors targeting industrial leak detection. BP is also a partner in the AQuaSec quantum security project alongside Bay Photonics and Toshiba Research.
• Nu-QuantumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNu-Quantum (Cambridge quantum technology spin-out) partnered with Bay Photonics in the £7.7M AIRQKD Innovate UK project to develop end-to-end quantum-secured communications for 5G and connected cars. Bay Photonics provided robust packaging for quantum photonic components — single photon modules — to be integrated into transceivers for free-space and fixed fibre quantum key distribution.
• Arqit Quantum Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArqit Quantum Inc. (London-based) is a consortium partner in the £7.7M AIRQKD project alongside Bay Photonics, BT, Nu-Quantum, Angoka, Duality Quantum Photonics, and the University of Cambridge, contributing quantum encryption technology for end-to-end quantum-secured 5G and connected car communications.
• Duality Quantum PhotonicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuality Quantum Photonics (Bristol-based) is a consortium partner in the AIRQKD quantum secured telecommunications project alongside Bay Photonics and BT, combining quantum technologies for end-to-end quantum-secured communications.
• AngokaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAngoka (Belfast-based) is a consortium partner in the AIRQKD project for quantum-secured telecommunications, combining multiple cutting-edge quantum technologies alongside Bay Photonics.
• Toshiba Research Europe LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerToshiba Research Europe Limited leads the Innovate UK AQuaSec quantum security project, with Bay Photonics as packaging partner developing technologies for quantum-safe communications. Toshiba Research also leads the SPIDAR (£5.7M, 3-year LIDAR/autonomous vehicle project) and QFOUNDRY (£5.8M quantum device foundry) projects, both involving Bay Photonics. The SPIDAR project targets single photon infrared imaging and detection systems for autonomous vehicles.
• IQE plccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIQE plc is a consortium partner in the QFOUNDRY £5.8M Innovate UK project alongside Bay Photonics, contributing semiconductor materials expertise for the UK's national open-access quantum device foundry. IQE is also a partner in the SPIDAR autonomous vehicle LIDAR project.
• Compound Semiconductor CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Compound Semiconductor Centre leads the QFOUNDRY £5.8M Innovate UK project for a national open-access quantum device foundry, with Bay Photonics providing photonic packaging expertise. The project aims to establish robust, scalable component manufacture for VCSELs and single photon devices in the UK.
• University of StrathclydecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Strathclyde is a consortium partner in the Innovate UK HiQuED (High Quantum Efficiency Detector) project alongside Bay Photonics, designing and fabricating a state-of-the-art detector for high-sensitivity quantum metrology with thermoelectrically-cooled InGaAs photodiode pairs.
• CPI UK (Centre for Process Innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPI UK is a consortium partner in the HiQuED balanced detector project alongside Bay Photonics, contributing to the design and fabrication of ultra-high quantum efficiency detectors for quantum metrology applications.
• Alert Technology LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlert Technology Ltd (Paignton, Devon) partnered with Bay Photonics to develop prototypes of a novel real-time asbestos monitoring alarm. Bay Photonics supplied 25 prototypes for customer trials, progressing from proof-of-concept to production-worthy device. The project was conducted in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire.
• Nokia TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNokia Technologies partnered with Bay Photonics and the University of Oxford on an Innovate UK award initiated in 2015 to develop a handheld Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) device for securing short-range wireless communication between terminals and mobile devices. Bay Photonics designed and built miniaturised, simplified optical assemblies for QKD use.
• University of OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Oxford partnered with Bay Photonics and Nokia Technologies on an Innovate UK-funded feasibility study for a handheld QKD device. Oxford contributed fast and precise optical steering technology that directs single photons from a handheld device to a quantum receiver. The project published its findings in Optics Express.
• University of HertfordshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Hertfordshire was the initial design inspiration for the real-time asbestos monitoring alarm, partnering with Alert Technology and Bay Photonics to develop the first prototypes of the device.
• EPIC (Electronics & Photonics Innovation Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBay Photonics is the largest resident company at EPIC in Paignton, Devon. EPIC is an innovation centre providing photonic and microelectronic prototyping facilities. Bay Photonics has open access to EPIC equipment including the Pyramid Engineering seam sealer/lidder. EPIC and Bay Photonics jointly host the national Photonics Bootcamp workshops.
• Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster (THTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBay Photonics is an active member of the Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster (THTC), which brings together photonics companies in the South West of England. The cluster has been acknowledged for adding value to the UK semiconductor industry and for raising its profile within larger UK clusters.
• Palomar TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationBay Photonics works in partnership with Palomar Technologies, a leading supplier of automated microelectronic assembly machines. The EPIC facility in Paignton houses a state-of-the-art Palomar 3880 Die Bonder which Bay Photonics regularly uses. Palomar Technologies interviewed Dr Andrew Robertson on the critical role of photonic packaging in quantum commercialisation.
• AMS Technologies AGcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAMS Technologies AG (headquartered near Munich, Germany; publicly listed) announced the acquisition of Bay Photonics Ltd in April 2026. The acquisition strengthens AMS Technologies' photonics system design, integration, and manufacturing capabilities. As part of the integration, AMS Technologies established a three-site European engineering and production platform spanning Paignton (UK), Hanover (Germany), and Krakow (Poland). Bay Photonics continues to operate with its established team and facilities under the AMS Technologies umbrella.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Coherent: US-listed global photonics and semiconductor materials leader (formerly II-VI) with broad photonic packaging capabilities across telecom, datacom, industrial and defence. Comparable as a packaging supplier for high-reliability photonics; vastly larger scale and broader portfolio than Bay Photonics.
• Thorlabs: US-based photonics components, instruments and systems supplier with significant in-house packaging capabilities. Comparable as a photonics packaging supplier serving research and OEM customers; broader product portfolio and US-anchored versus Bay Photonics.
• Lumentum: Large US-listed photonics components and modules manufacturer with extensive packaging capabilities. Comparable in serving similar telecom, datacom and 3D sensing end markets; broader and vertically integrated versus Bay Photonics' specialist packaging focus.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Japanese photonics components specialist with extensive photonic device packaging, particularly for detectors and quantum sensors. Comparable in serving quantum, medical and scientific end markets with packaged photonic modules; significantly larger and vertically integrated.

Direct peers

• SMART Photonics: Dutch independent merchant photonic IC foundry offering InP-based wafer fabrication plus packaging and assembly services. Closely comparable to Bay Photonics as a European specialist photonic packaging house serving quantum, telecom and sensing customers; however SMART Photonics operates its own foundry whereas Bay Photonics is pure-play packaging.
• VLC Photonics: Spain-based photonic IC design house and packaging services provider, closely comparable as a European specialist serving the same quantum, datacom and sensing customer base. VLC focuses more on design services while Bay Photonics focuses on packaging and assembly.
• Tyndall National Institute: Irish research institute with significant photonic device packaging and integration capabilities. Comparable as a UK/Ireland photonics packaging specialist working with research institutions and industry partners on quantum and sensing applications; differs in being publicly funded.
• Fraunhofer HHI: German research institute with extensive photonic integration and packaging capabilities, including hybrid integration and quantum photonics. Direct comparable as a European specialist packaging house serving similar end markets; broader scope than Bay Photonics.
• AIM Photonics: US-based public-private partnership operating one of the most advanced integrated photonic foundry and packaging platforms. Comparable as a specialist photonic packaging provider targeting defence, datacom and quantum applications; much larger and US-focused versus Bay Photonics' UK/European focus.

Others

• Palomar Technologies: US-based supplier of automated microelectronic assembly equipment (die bonders, wire bonders) used in photonic packaging. Listed as a technology partner of Bay Photonics via shared EPIC facility usage; comparable as a photonic packaging ecosystem participant, though operating as an equipment supplier rather than a packaging services house.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bayphotonics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bay-photonics-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/bayphotonics

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bay Photonics