Japanese writer and publicist based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands
"Photonic chips" which use photons in addition to electrons, are cutting-edge technology that will support next-generation applications, and the Dutch government nurtures the industry as a national strategy.
Under this strategy, the PITC (Photonics Integration Technology Center) was established as a research organization to connect photonic chips from basic research to foundries.
As significant semiconductor companies such as Intel, TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), and Nvidia have begun to seriously focus on the development of photonic chips, PITC's activities are attracting increasing attention both at home and abroad.
Research on PIC, being carried out in the clean room "NanoLab" at Eindhoven University of Technology (Photo: PIT)
Photonic chips, also known as "Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs)," use photons in addition to electrons. While optical fibres have already been used in communication, utilising optical interconnections between chips allows unprecedented speed and sensitivity in sensing, processing, and transmitting data.
As AI-based applications are being deployed worldwide, driven by advancements in large language models and generative AI, the volume of data being transferred between servers is increasing at an unprecedented rate. To support future technological infrastructures, such as autonomous driving and telemedicine, chips that offer greater capacity, ultra-high speed, and energy efficiency are needed. Therefore, combining current electronic circuits with PIC technology is seen as essential.
"Compared to 6-7 years ago, the outlook for the PIC market has improved. In the past, we had to explain to business partners why PICs were necessary, but now their question has shifted to 'How can we mass-produce them quickly?'" said Sylwester Latkowski, Scientific Director of the PITC. He also noted that major semiconductor companies such as Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Nvidia, and Broadcom have begun to take integrated photonics development seriously and make it a part of their manufacturing flows. He explained that efforts to improve the PIC manufacturing process are also accelerating in Europe.
Sylwester Latkowski, Scientific Director of PITC
PITC's focus is on improving the PIC processes, and setting up the next-generation pilot line for integrated photonics, using a material called Indium Phosphide (InP).
While PICs can be made using materials such as silicon or silicon nitride, each advantageous in a certain way, those made with InP can integrate all photon functions such as lasers, optical amplifiers, and detectors in a single chip, providing unmatched performance and energy efficiency. This then makes InP-based chips one of the most crucial integrated photonics technologies. Soon, these different technologies are expected to be combined using hybrid and heterogeneous integration methods, leveraging each material's strengths.
NanoLab at Eindhoven University of Technology (Photo: PITC)
Regarding the current challenges, Latkowski explained: "To mass-produce PICs quickly, we plan to expand the wafer further, from the current mainstream for InP 4 inches to 6 inches. We need to address a range of challenges, including fabrication equipment development and optimization, but also how to obtain the larger size wafers with the properties needed for desired fabrication quality, while maintaining logistic feasibility. Currently, photonics testing takes too much time, so we are also working on research and development to speed up such processes at scales required by the high volume manufacturing (HVM). Of course, it is necessary to improve yield, and look into reliability too."
To address these numerous challenges, the Dutch foundation "PhotonDelta" plays a central role in building an ecosystem for PICs, where related companies and research institutions collaborate. While this ecosystem currently includes European companies and organisations, cooperation from Japanese companies, which have outstanding technology in the photonics field, is also essential. Latkowski calls for collaboration, saying, "Please come and work with us!
Contact: PITC
Sylwester Latkowski
Sylwester.latkowski@pitc.nl