Photonic Chip Technology

A technology that harnesses the power of light to create energy-efficient, faster, and compact photonic functions on a chip, but what exactly is this technology?

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How it works

  • Photons (light) are used to sense, process, and transmit information.
  • Photonic Chips can combine multiple photonic (and opto-electronic) functions in a single chip.
  • They’re faster and more sustainable than existing solutions.
  • These new properties drive change across multiple industries and emerging technologies.
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About the technology

What is photonics?

Photonics is the science of generating, manipulating and detecting photons. Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) combine two or more photonic functions into a single chip to create faster, more accurate and more energy-efficient devices. Leveraging the power of light, Photonic Chips are highly effective at processing and transmitting data – sensing with the highest level of precision. They can also be integrated alongside traditional electronic chips.

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Why is integrated photonics beneficial?

We’re currently living in a technological revolution where the generation of data and sensing devices is rapidly accelerating. Electronic microchip technology alone cannot keep pace, creating an opportunity for additional photonic functionalities. The combination of integrated photonics with microelectronics offers a sustainable solution to society’s energy consumption and technological challenges such as the expansion of 5G data networks and data centres, safer autonomous driving vehicles, and more efficient food production. Backed by 30 years of research, the PhotonDelta ecosystem offers a robust end-to-end supply chain for integrated photonics from design and fabrication to packaging and testing.

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What production platforms are offered?

Pushing the boundaries of digital innovation, PhotonDelta is a leading ecosystem for the integrated photonics industry that stimulates the creation of new products and applications. The ecosystem makes use of two production platforms: Indium Phosphide (InP), Silicon Nitride (SiN), plus a pilot line for prototypes using Silicon Photonics (SiPh).

  • Indium Phosphide (InP) PICs have active laser generation, amplification, control, and detection. This makes them an ideal component for communication and sensing applications.
  • Silicon Nitride (SiN) PICs have a vast spectral range and ultra low-loss waveguide. This makes them highly suited to detectors, spectrometers, biosensors, and quantum computers.
  • Silicon Photonics (SiPh) PICs provide low losses for passive components like waveguides and can be used in minuscule photonic circuits. They are compatible with existing CMOS (electronic) fabrication.
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Hybrid integration provides the best of both worlds

By combining and configuring different chip types (including existing electronic chips) in a hybrid or heterogeneous integration, it is possible to leverage the strengths of each. Taking this complementary approach to integration addresses the demand for increasingly sophisticated solutions.

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Our end-to-end value chain

  • Research & Development
  • Design
  • Fabrication
  • Packaging
  • Applications
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