Core Insights - The rapid development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and quantum communication has made photonic technology a strategic high ground in global tech competition. In this context, Shaanxi launched the "Light Chasing Plan" in 2021 [1] Group 1: Development of Photonic Technology - The Shaanxi Photonic Institute announced the official launch of the first 8-inch advanced silicon photonic integrated technology innovation platform in Northwest China, which fills a gap in the regional industrial chain and serves as a core support for building a trillion-level photonic industry cluster in Shaanxi [1][4] - The total investment for the 8-inch silicon photonic platform is 750 million yuan, incorporating the "130nm silicon photonic chip process package" from Belgium's IMEC and equipped with over 60 key devices [4] - The platform adopts a "1+N" flexible engineering model, with 80% of resources allocated for trial production services to small and medium-sized enterprises, and 20% for supporting cutting-edge research and development [4] Group 2: Market Trends and Applications - The explosion of artificial intelligence has raised demands for computing power and data transmission, with silicon photonics expected to replace electrical signals in data centers over short distances, requiring a large number of optical chips for electro-optical conversion [5] - The market for photonic sensing is also growing rapidly, with laser radar widely used in autonomous vehicles and increasing demand in consumer electronics and industrial automation [5] Group 3: Industry Growth and Future Plans - Since the launch of the "Light Chasing Plan," the number of photonic enterprises in Shaanxi has increased to 379, and the industry scale has grown from 15 billion yuan to 36.5 billion yuan, establishing a complete industrial chain from materials to systems [5] - A new "Photon Technology Laboratory" is being established, with a total investment exceeding 1 billion yuan, aiming to attract top international scientists and tackle over 30 key core technologies in the photonic field within two years [6]