EDIFY · European Doctorate in Indium Phosphide PIC Fabrication Technology

European Doctorate in Indium Phosphide PIC Fabrication Technology

Photonic integration enables multiple optical functions to be delivered on a single chip, a photonic integrated circuit. Photonic integration also has a dramatic impact on footprint, enabling the miniaturization of optical devices, Power consumption and equipment failures are also reduced as these coupling optics are eliminated as a source of failure. Photonic integration is then emerging as a new standard for providing cost effective, high-performance, miniaturised optical systems for a wide range of applications. However, the complete unfold of this potential is still dependent on overcoming certain challenges. Current Indium Phosphide-based integrated chips laser sources have phosphorus based active material limiting their operation temperature, thus greatly reducing its potential for low-power operation. Moreover, the overall waveguide losses can be highly reduced by applying the doping only when they are strictly required. A third barrier is the lack of predictive analytical models and design methodologies via the Process Design Kit product development software platform. In order to overcome these barriers there is a strong need for researchers with multidisciplinary knowledge of photonics fundamentals, circuit design, dedicated design software and nano-fabrication modalities. The EDIFY project fills these gaps by combining into one training programme a selection of the above-mentioned photonic academic modalities with its direct translation into improvements across the integrated photonic market value chain. The 4 recruited fellows focused their R&D effort around four tasks: 1) Integration of aluminium containing quantum wells, 2) development of low loss waveguides, 3) development of compact models for the next generation photonic design kits and 4) design mof photonic integrated circuits which employ the achievements from the previous tasks. The project outputs provided a set of new materials, techniques, simulations and compact models for the InP platform developed in the industrial beneficiary which allow for significant improvements in the performance, power consumption and predictive methodologies of current integrated photonic technologies. Moreover, at the end of the training the fellows are equipped with a unique set of capabilities that will extend their career possibilities: a set of scientific, hands-on and transferable skills courses, as well as a PhD degree and different trainings that cover from management to research capabilities, reinforcing their perspective across the whole value chain, from research and design to manufacturing, thereby forming a strong interdisciplinary network between technical sciences and industry to overcome specific barriers in the integrated photonics sector.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union