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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PICs4All (Photonic Integrated Circuits Accessible to Everyone)

Teaser

Summary

The invention in 1947 of electronic devices based on semiconductor materials has been the start of a tremendous boom in electronic appliances. Integration of ever more complex electronic circuits onto a very small piece of semiconductor material (Integrated Circuits (ICs) or chips) is fundamental for our current information society. Because of the development of chip technology, our current PC\'s, tablet computers or smartphones provide unprecedented possibilities to process information. Hardly any electric appliance exists without containing ICs, including cars, coffee makers, medical devices, etc.

ICs essentially manipulate electrons. In 1955 it was discovered that particular semiconductor materials are also able to generate light. This formed the basis for Light Emitting Diodes and semiconductor lasers. Semiconductor laser technology has developed itself to the backbone of modern communication technology using glass fibres as the data communication highways around the world. Glass fibre communication technology has enabled the transmission of the huge amounts of data (documents, pictures, music and films) which we currently access through the internet.

Switching optical data signals through the communication networks was for long only possible by converting the light signals to electrical signals, redirecting them and reconverting electrical signals to optical signals again. However, it appears to be possible to switch light directly by using various specific materials properties of semiconductor or dielectric (glass) materials. In this way, tiny optical chips can be made in which photons (instead of electrons) can be manipulated. These optical chips (Photonic Integrated Circuits or PICs) provide a breakthrough in achieving smaller, much cheaper, more powerful and energy efficient data communication devices. Such devices are increasingly applied in high capacity data communication networks. Besides in data communication, many other applications for PICs have been devised. Extremely sensitive temperature sensors, gas sensors or revolutionary medical diagnostic equipment can be made, using the unique properties of light and PICs to manipulate and analyse light signals.

The technology to design and manufacture PICs is readily available but unknown to many companies who could benefit from PIC technology applied in their products. Additionally, application of the PIC technology requires skills which are not as widely spread as the technology to design, manufacture and apply electronic ICs. For this reason the participating parties in the PICS4All project believe that PIC technology is still insufficiently appreciated by many who could benefit from this technology. To boost the use of PIC technology in Europe, the participating parties in PICS4All have established Application Support Centres (ASCs) throughout Europe which potential users can turn to for obtaining help in establishing the technical and economic feasibility of PIC technology for their specific application. Apart from determining the feasibility, ASCs can provide advice and practical help in the design, manufacturing and testing of applications specific PICs (ASPICs). And since this initiative supported by the European Commission\'s Horizon 2020 programme, this support is largely free of charge.

Work performed

The main objectives of PICs4All are: * promoting the use of the PIC technology; * bringing together academia to explore new photonics technologies and applications and * lower the barrier for using PIC technology by offering hands-on support. These goals will be achieved by: * active scouting opportunities for the use of PICs; * reaching out to potential users that are not yet aware of the benefits of PICâ€™s; * organizing PIC design courses, workshops;* connecting users to optical chip designers or providing actual supporting in layout design; * assist in gaining access to PIC prototype fabrication by foundries who run Multi-Project Wafer runs and * offering support in the testing of prototype PICs. All the activities are advocated by publicity e.g. newsletters, application notes and participation in conferences and exhibitions.

Final results

By offering support to anyone, i.e. companies (esp. small companies with limited resources) and scientific or technological institutes, who have concrete ideas for applying Photonic Integrated Technology or who want to have determined whether PICs can be of benefit to their business or technical/scientific work, the PICS4All partners hope to accelerate the use Photonic Integrated Technology. In this way, Europe can create substantial future business opportunities enabled by this unique technology in analogy to the tremendous business which has been created by the application of electronic ICs since 1947.