A Short Guide to Key PIC Industry Design Guidelines for Optimizing Performance and Scalability


A Guide to Key PIC Industry Design Guidelines for Optimizing Performance and Scalability

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest has captured the imagination of engineers worldwide, inviting innovative minds to showcase their ideas in the ever-evolving field of Integrated photonics. As part of our spotlight on the contest’s jury members, we had the privilege of speaking with Jörn Epping, Epiphany's co-founder and an integrated photonics expert.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1734529434210-1734529434210.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a></p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" class="button-main-action">Learn more about the challenge here.</a></p><p dir="ltr">Jörn Epping brings a wealth of experience to the jury, with an impressive career spanning academic research, engineering design, and entrepreneurial leadership. With a background in physics from the University of Münster and a PhD from the University of Twente, his career has been deeply rooted in photonics innovation. After roles at LioniX and a stint as Managing director at QuiX Quantum GmbH, Epping co-founded Epiphany, a design house focused on integrated photonics and commercialization.</p><p dir="ltr">Epping shared valuable insights on what makes a strong submission and how engineers can maximize their chances of success in this prestigious challenge.</p><blockquote><p dir="ltr">“What excites me most about this contest is seeing ideas come to life,” he explained. “I love witnessing how new concepts translate into designs and eventually into chips.”</p></blockquote><h3 dir="ltr">What Makes a Submission Stand Out?</h3><p dir="ltr">When evaluating contest submissions, Epping emphasizes two primary qualities: creativity and feasibility.</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Creativity: “Is it unique? Does it push the boundaries of what we expect?” Epping believes that engineering contests are an opportunity to think outside the box, unbound by the constraints of existing markets.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Feasibility: “Is the idea practical and producible with today’s technology? Can it be manufactured?” Submissions should demonstrate an understanding of current technological capabilities and scalability, whether the project involves mass production or niche applications.</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr">Epping also highlighted the importance of aligning the proposed solution with a clear use case. “There are two key paths: either creating a cost-effective product for mass production or designing a specialized, high-value solution that only chips can achieve, such as for satellites or harsh environments.”</p><h3 dir="ltr">Tips for Crafting a Strong Submission</h3><p dir="ltr">To make your entry shine, Epping recommends following a structured design journey:</p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Sketch Your Idea: Begin with a clear schematic outlining the concept and its intended functionality.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Leverage Available Technologies: Identify components or technologies that can bring your concept to life. Consider whether using existing building blocks is feasible or if additional development is required.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Provide Evidence: Where possible, include simulations, calculations, or performance estimates to substantiate your idea.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Plan for Manufacturing: Consider the entire development chain, including packaging and testing. “If you don’t plan for these during the design phase, it may be too late to address them later,” Epping cautioned.</p></li></ol><h3 dir="ltr"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1734347233028-AIM+Photonics+-+Photonic+Integrated+Circuits+1+%28PIC1%29+1-48+screenshot.png" width="602" height="339" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></h3><p dir="ltr">Image credit: AimPhotonics</p><h3 dir="ltr">Encouraging Future Innovators</h3><p dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest is not just about competition; it’s about fostering creativity and innovation in a field poised to transform industries. Epping encourages participants to explore new application areas for integrated photonics rather than competing in highly saturated markets like telecommunications.</p><p dir="ltr">For aspiring engineers or those looking to pivot into photonics, Epping’s advice is simple: “Stay curious. Focus on developing a solid understanding of the fundamentals, and don’t be afraid to explore uncharted territories.”</p><h3 dir="ltr">Why This Contest Stands Out</h3><blockquote><p dir="ltr">“What makes this contest special is the opportunity to see truly out-of-the-box ideas,” Epping said. “It’s about sparking creativity and bridging the gap between concept and commercialization.”</p></blockquote><p dir="ltr">With insights like these, participants are well-equipped to craft compelling submissions that showcase not only their technical prowess but also their ability to innovate and solve real-world problems. As Epping and his fellow jury members review the entries, they’ll be looking for projects that embody the transformative potential of photonics.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Final tips for entrants</h3><ol data-stringify-type="ordered-list" data-list-tree="true" data-indent="0" data-border="0"><li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Apply before December 31 to receive personalized feedback from the PhotonDelta team.</li><li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Ensure your entry is legible and conveys your ideas as succinctly and clearly as possible.</li><li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Don’t be afraid to reach out. We are here to answer any of your content questions. Just email us at:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" data-stringify-link="mailto:challenges@wevolver.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="mailto:challenges@wevolver.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" id="isPasted">challenges@wevolver.com</a></li></ol><p dir="ltr">Good luck to all participants, and may your ideas shine as brightly as the photonic innovations they inspire!</p><h1 dir="ltr">Global Photonics Engineering Contest</h1><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1734529513573-1734529513573.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a></p><p dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest invites engineers, innovators, and startups to push the boundaries of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) and create applications that address complex engineering challenges and push the boundaries of the industry. Whether you’re in semiconductors, data &amp; telecom, medtech, or agritech, we want to see your breakthrough idea that can harness the power of PICs to change the world.</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Prize:</strong>&nbsp;€50,000 worth of services from the PhotonDelta ecosystem to to make your idea market-ready + a chance to receive up to €2 million in pre-seed funding.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Audience: </strong>Open to all engineers, researchers, OEMs, hardware manufacturers, startups/scale-ups, research teams, and students working on innovative PIC applications.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Early Bird Opportunity: </strong>All submissions received by 31st December 2024, will receive&nbsp;personalized feedback from PhotonDelta engineers.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>End date: </strong>March 3rd 2025</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" class="button-main-action">Submit now!</a></p><p><br></p>

As part of our spotlight on the contest’s jury members, we had the privilege of speaking with Jörn Epping, Epiphany's co-founder and an integrated photonics expert. 

Tips and Insights from the Global Photonics Engineering Contest Jury

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are emerging as transformative tools in industries ranging from telecommunications to healthcare. With applications spanning telecom, healthcare, computing, and beyond, PICs hold the potential to revolutionize industries and solve some of society’s most pressing challenges.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">To inspire engineers and innovators, the&nbsp;Global Photonics Engineering Contest, in collaboration with Photon Delta, is offering a platform to showcase groundbreaking ideas.</p><p dir="ltr">Wevolver spoke with Twan Korthorst, CEO of <a href="https://neworigin.eu/en/">New Origin</a> and a passionate advocate for photonic technologies, to provide deeper insight into the impact of PICs, the journey into the industry, and advice for succeeding in the challenge.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Unlocking new possibilities and innovative applications with PICs</h2><p dir="ltr">Integrated photonic chips have the potential to significantly impact multiple industries, building on their foundational role in telecommunications. As Twan Korthorst explains, the integrated photonics journey began with long-haul telecom applications, where optical fibers replaced copper links and satellite communication, enabling high-bandwidth, low-energy data transport. The industry has since matured, transitioning from traditional telecom to datacom, where optical fibers now connect data centers and even chips, such as CPUs and GPUs, addressing challenges like bandwidth, latency, and energy consumption.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Beyond telecommunications, the advancements in photonic ICs have unlocked creativity in new applications. From shrinking bulky LiDAR systems for autonomous vehicles and industrial robots to developing sensitive biosensors and miniaturized light engines for AR/VR devices, the possibilities are vast.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Investments in datacom have driven the maturity of photonic technology, with improved design tools and broader access to manufacturing facilities. As Korthorst highlights, this momentum is paving the way for further innovation, lower costs, and a significant expansion of photonic IC applications in the coming decade.</p><p dir="ltr"><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rCuJEx6kmyQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span></iframe></span></p><h2 dir="ltr">Challenges in Scaling Photonic Innovation</h2><p dir="ltr">Despite their promise, PICs face hurdles that must be addressed to accelerate adoption. According to Korthorst, two primary challenges stand out:</p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Cost and Scalability<br></strong>The cost of prototyping and scaling remains high due to limited manufacturing facilities. Multiproject wafer (MPW) runs, where multiple designs share fabrication costs, offer an accessible entry point for smaller organizations or first-time designers. However, scaling beyond prototypes to higher volumes continues to be challenging.“New Origin and other initiatives aim to address this by creating scalable manufacturing solutions,” Korthorst added. “This will drive down costs and enable broader industry adoption.”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Education and Talent Development<br></strong>The field of photonics demands specialized knowledge. While engineers from physics, chemistry, or electrical backgrounds bring valuable expertise, many lack experience in chip design and manufacturing. “Education is key,” Korthorst emphasized. “Training programs and collaborations between universities, research institutions, and design houses are helping bridge this gap.”</p></li></ol><h2 dir="ltr">How to Break into the Photonics Industry</h2><p dir="ltr">For engineers aspiring to enter the photonics industry, Korthorst highlighted two primary paths:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Theory Experts:</strong> Engineers with backgrounds in optics, chemical sensing, or physics have a solid theoretical understanding. However, they can benefit from training programs offered by organizations like AIM Photonics (U.S.) and JePPIX (Europe) to improve their knowledge of chip design. Partnering with design houses like Bright Photonics or Epiphany can also help engineers begin to translate big ideas into PIC designs.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Chip Designers:</strong> Engineers experienced in analog or RF chip design can leverage their existing knowledge to transition into integrated photonics. Because they have the foundation knowledge, they can explore a shorter path to the PIC industry by collaborating with foundries like SMART Photonics or LioniX to gain direct access to the tools and expertise needed to validate their concepts.</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr">Regardless of their background, Korthorst encouraged engineers to engage with the ecosystem, attend training sessions, and explore opportunities to enter the industry.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Crafting a Winning Submission for the Challenge</h2><p dir="ltr">The&nbsp;Global Photonics Engineering Contest&nbsp;offers a unique opportunity for engineers to bring their ideas to life. With a prize that includes resources to design, prototype, and manufacture a PIC, participants can focus on innovation rather than logistical hurdles. Korthorst shared his advice for crafting a standout submission:</p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Define the Problem<br></strong>Clearly articulate the challenge you aim to address. Explain how PICs can enhance current solutions or unlock new possibilities.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Showcase Impact<br></strong>Highlight the societal or industrial importance of your idea. Whether it’s advancing healthcare or improving energy efficiency, focus on the broader implications.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Leverage Collaboration<br></strong>Don’t worry about mastering the technical details alone. The contest’s partners, including leading foundries and design houses, are there to guide you.</p></li></ol><blockquote><p dir="ltr">“Set the jury on fire with a great idea,” Korthorst advised. “Focus on the problem and the bigger picture. If your vision excites others, the technical support will follow.”</p></blockquote><h2 dir="ltr">Your Invitation to Innovate</h2><p dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest is not just a competition; it’s an invitation to engage with a vibrant ecosystem and contribute to the future of technology. With the contest closing in March, now is the time to submit your ideas and join a community of innovators shaping the next wave of photonic advancements.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzM0MzQxMTAzNzE5LXBob3RvbiBkZWx0YSAtIE5PVyBMSVZFICgxOTIwIHggNTAwIHB4KSAoMSkucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr">“There’s so much promise in this technology,” Korthorst concluded. “It’s an exciting time to get involved and make an impact.”</p></blockquote><p dir="ltr">Whether you’re an industry veteran or a curious newcomer, the challenge is your chance to explore the potential of PICs and turn your ideas into reality.</p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest invites engineers, innovators, and startups to push the boundaries of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) and create applications that address complex engineering challenges and push the boundaries of the industry. Whether you’re in semiconductors, data &amp; telecom, medtech, or agritech, we want to see your breakthrough idea that can harness the power of PICs to change the world.</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>Prize:</strong> €50,000 worth of services from the PhotonDelta ecosystem to to make your idea market-ready + a chance to receive up to €2 million in pre-seed funding.</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Audience:</strong> Open to all engineers, researchers, OEMs, hardware manufacturers, startups/scale-ups, research teams, and students working on innovative PIC applications.</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Early Bird Opportunity:&nbsp;</strong>All submissions received by 31st December 2024, will receive <strong>personalized feedback from PhotonDelta engineers.</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>End date:</strong> March 3rd 2025</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" class="button-main-action">Find out more here!</a></p><p><br></p>

Twan Korthorst, CEO of New Origin, highlights their transformative potential in a conversation with Wevolver about the Global Photonics Engineering Contest, hosted in collaboration with PhotonDelta.

The Role of Photonic Integrated Circuits, Breaking into the Industry, and Crafting a Winning Submission

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Integrated Photonics, the technology that uses light to power and transmit information, is transforming industries from telecommunications to healthcare. As the demand for high-speed, energy-efficient devices grows, Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), also known as photonic chips, are paving the way for a new era in tech. Similar to electronic circuits but with photons instead of electrons, PICs enable the miniaturisation and acceleration of processes across sectors, making them a cornerstone of future innovations.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/photonic-integrated-circuit-market-107051#:~:text=The%20global%20photonic%20integrated%20circuit,20.8%25%20during%20the%20forecast%20period.">With a global PIC market poised to reach 65 billion by 2030,</a> there’s a pressing need for skilled professionals who are passionate about contributing to this field. Whether you’re a student, a recent graduate, or an experienced engineer looking for a career pivot, opportunities in PICs span across design, research, development, packaging, and manufacturing.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Understanding Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs)</h2><p dir="ltr">Photonic Integrated Circuits combine multiple optical functions—like lasers, detectors, and modulators—onto a single chip. This integration results in smaller, faster, and more efficient devices, opening new possibilities in applications such as high-speed internet, advanced medical diagnostics, and data processing.</p><p dir="ltr">In this article, we discuss the pathways to a career in integrated photonics, whether you are a bachelor's student or an established engineer. We highlight the work PhotonDelta is doing to help create a robust PIC industry.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/an-introduction-to-integrated-photonics">Read more about PICs here.</a></p><h1 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMzNzQ0MzQzNzc3LXBob3RvbiBkZWx0YSAtIE5PVyBMSVZFICgxOTIwIHggNTAwIHB4KS5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a></h1><h1 dir="ltr">Why start a career in PICs:</h1><p dir="ltr">Building a career in PICS represents a chance to make a mark in a relatively new industry. It offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on sustainable and energy-efficient technologies and solutions. This booming sector has tremendous growth potential across various application areas. Furthermore, you'll get to work in an interdisciplinary and innovative environment.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Finding your path to a career in Integrated Photonics as a student</h2><p dir="ltr">A recommended route into PICs is through degrees in engineering, optics, or telecommunications. Programs in electrical engineering, applied physics, and optical sciences offer a strong foundation, with many universities now offering specialised courses in photonics. Further,&nbsp;Mechanical Engineering or Materials Engineering backgrounds are strong favoured in the PIC industry because topics like packaging and assembly of the PIC are very important.</p><p dir="ltr">For engineers who have completed bachelor's degrees, pursuing a master's in a Photonics program is a solid way to establish a degree in photonics.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">PhotonDelta and Optics Netherlands recently launched the '<a href="https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/masterplus-optics-photonics#:~:text=A%20Master%20with%20an%20additional%20Plus%20in%20Optics%20%26%20Photonics&text=The%20MasterPlus%20offers%20an%20extra,driving%20scientific%20and%20societal%20change.">MasterPlus Programme in Optics and Photonics' (MPOP).</a> This initiative, in collaboration with Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and the University of Twente (UT), introduces a specialisation within existing master's programs in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering. MPOP aims to bridge academic expertise with industry needs, offering students the flexibility to attend courses across different campuses and engage in inter-university activities.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Participants will have opportunities for internships with leading companies like ASML, Signify, SMART Photonics, and LioniX International, as well as collaborations with research institutes such as SRON and imec. The program seeks to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the optics and photonics sector, contributing to the Netherlands' position as a global innovation hub in this field. Learn more about the program <a href="https://www.mpop-programme.com/">here</a>.</p><p dir="ltr">For those already in the workforce, there are various reskilling programs supported by the industry, allowing professionals from other technical backgrounds to leverage their existing skills while gaining new, PIC-specific knowledge.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Exploring Career Roles in PICs</h2><p dir="ltr">Whether coming through traditional education routes or via reskilling programs PIC careers offer diverse roles for innovators and problem-solvers alike:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Photonics Engineers&nbsp;design and develop the optical components that power PICs.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Research Scientists&nbsp;push the boundaries of photonics knowledge through experimentation.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">System Designers&nbsp;integrate PICs into broader applications, such as telecom systems.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Product Managers and Application Engineers&nbsp;work closely with clients to adapt PIC solutions to specific needs.</p></li></ul><h1 dir="ltr">PhotonDelta’s Role in Shaping Careers in PICs</h1><p dir="ltr">PhotonDelta supports a global end-to-end ecosystem of photonic chip companies that designs, develops, and manufactures innovative solutions that contribute to a better world.</p><p dir="ltr">They promote the global adoption of photonic integrated chips by engaging with a diverse range of industries and the academic community.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">PhotonDelta's Human Capital Program aims to bridge the gap between current and future talent and the needs of the integrated photonics industry. The program focuses on two main objectives:</p><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Increasing the attractiveness of a career in integrated photonics: This involves creating a strong industry brand, raising awareness among students at various educational levels, building a community of photonic chip enthusiasts, and implementing marketing activities to attract both national and international talent.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Expanding the quality and size of the integrated photonics talent pool: PhotonDelta supports educational institutions and training providers to offer comprehensive study programs and reskilling courses. Initiatives include summer schools, challenge-based learning, specialised master's programs, hackathons, and online training sessions.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Creating employee engagement and loyalty, contributing to talent retention within the industry</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">By creating an environment where professionals can learn, collaborate, and grow, the industry sets the foundation for long-term success and positions itself as a leader in the global photonics sector. PhotonDelta initiates expert communities and industry partner meetings to ensure that employees feel welcome and appreciated, keeping talents in the industry.&nbsp;</p></li></ol><p dir="ltr">To achieve these goals, PhotonDelta curates and creates pivotal talent market data to inform strategic initiatives. It serves as a connector within its ecosystem, facilitating collaboration among companies, research institutes, and educational institutions. Through strategic investments, PhotonDelta aims to accelerate scalable initiatives that attract and retain talent in the integrated photonics industry.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">They endeavour to&nbsp;foster a strong photonics community and promote career development in PICs through several key initiatives:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Collaborations with Academic Institutions: PhotonDelta partners with universities and technical schools to develop curricula and summer schools tailored to integrated photonics, ensuring students receive industry-relevant education.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Career Opportunities through PhotonJobs: The<a href="http://www.photonjobs.nl">&nbsp;PhotonJobs platform</a> connects job seekers with leading photonics companies looking for skilled engineers, researchers, and developers.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Talent outreach activities: PhotonDelta organizes and participates in several activities to introduce talent with a career in the Photonic Chip Industry such as career events, supporting student teams and study associations and offering an introduction to the world of (integrated) photonics already at a young age. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p></li></ul><h3 dir="ltr">Building a Sustainable Future in Photonics</h3><p dir="ltr">PhotonDelta’s long-term goal is to create a sustainable talent pipeline for the photonic chip ecosystem by developing comprehensive programs across all educational levels. Through partnerships with industry leaders and educational institutions, PhotonDelta supports the growth of a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the evolving photonics landscape.</p><p dir="ltr">By joining this exciting field, you can play a role in transforming how the world uses light to shape the future of technology. Whether through PhotonDelta's training programs, industry events, or job platform, there are many pathways to a fulfilling career in photonics. Take the first step today and become part of the photonic chip revolution.</p><hr><h2 id="isPasted">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest is now live!</h2><p dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest invites engineers, innovators, and startups to push the boundaries of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) and create applications that address complex engineering challenges and push the boundaries of the industry. Whether you’re in semiconductors, data &amp; telecom, medtech, or agritech, we want to see your breakthrough idea that can harness the power of PICs to change the world.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMzNzQ0Mzc5NTIxLTE3MzM3NDQzNzk1MjEucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>Prize:</strong> €50,000 worth of services from the PhotonDelta ecosystem to to make your idea market-ready + a chance to receive up to €2 million in pre-seed funding.</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Audience:</strong> Open to all engineers, researchers, OEMs, hardware manufacturers, startups/scale-ups, research teams, and students working on innovative PIC applications.</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Early Bird Opportunity:&nbsp;</strong>All submissions received by 31st December 2024, will receive <strong>personalized feedback from PhotonDelta engineers.</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>End date:</strong> March 3rd 2025</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" class="button-main-action">ENTER THE CHALLENGE NOW</a></p>

Explore pathways to a career in Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for both students and engineers looking to reskill. 

Illuminating Your Path: Building a Career in Integrated Photonics

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) are optical microchips that combine multiple optical functions to create an optical circuit. These chips can generate, manipulate, and detect light. Today, PICs are the backbone of high-speed internet as these chips offer high-speed optical connectivity with minimal energy consumption. There has been a growing interest in research and commercial applications for PICs for various markets, including medical technology (MedTech), as they offer compact optical solutions at a low cost when mass-produced.&nbsp;</p><h2 dir="ltr">Benefits for MedTech</h2><p dir="ltr">The most significant benefits of PICs for the development and deployment of innovative MedTech systems in healthcare include:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">High Sensitivity and Reliability: PIC-based biosensors exhibit high sensitivity and reliability. These features enable the deployment in areas such as point-of-care diagnostics, where accurate and rapid results are required for effective patient management.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Compactness and Miniaturization: PICs enable the development of compact and miniaturized devices, which is particularly advantageous for wearable health devices and lab-on-chip applications. This miniaturization results from the integration of complex optical functions into small form factor chips, which is key for the development of advanced diagnostic and monitoring technologies that are more user-friendly and more accessible.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Cost-Effectiveness: The integration of photonic components onto a single chip and ability to manufacture them on a large scale, significantly reduces the cost of a chip. Thus, use of PICs makes advanced medical technologies more affordable for widespread use.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Accelerated Performance: PICs offer improved performance characteristics such as low propagation losses, high power handling, and efficient integration of active components. These features are vital for the development, deployment and operation of high-performance imaging and sensing solutions in healthcare. The latter are enabling more precise diagnostics and better patient outcomes.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Versatility in Applications: PICs are very versatile and can be used in a wide range of MedTech applications, from biosensing and imaging to environmental monitoring in healthcare-related settings. This adaptability makes PICs capable of addressing diverse medical challenges.</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr">Overall, PICs are transforming MedTech based on innovative solutions that enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of healthcare technologies. Their ability to integrate multiple functions into single microsystems and devices makes them suitable for a wide range of advanced medical diagnostics and treatment applications.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733744077828-photon+delta+-+NOW+LIVE+%281920+x+500+px%29.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a></p><h2 dir="ltr">PIC-Enabled Transformative Applications in MedTech</h2><p dir="ltr">Some of the most prominent MedTech applications that are enabled by PICs include:</p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Advanced Diagnostics</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">PICs are enhancing diagnostic capabilities through technologies like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which is a contactless imaging technique that is used for examining living tissue. OCT is a very useful tool for medical diagnostics thanks to its non-invasive imaging capabilities, which enable high-resolution images of biological tissues. PICs can be used to miniaturize OCT systems, making them more accessible and portable for widespread clinical use. For instance, one of the popular applications of OCT is the detection of tumors or eye disorders. Existing OCT equipment is however costly and bulky in size, which prevents the adoption and use of the technology outside hospitals. PICs can alleviate this limitation based on a significant reduction of the size and cost of the devices. Specifically, PICs enable the development of handheld OCT probes, which are based on lasers and detectors that are directly integrated onto the photonic chip.&nbsp;</p><h3 dir="ltr">Wearable Health Devices</h3><p dir="ltr">The miniaturization and integration capabilities of PICs make them ideal for the development and integration of wearable health devices. These devices can continuously monitor vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and glucose levels with high precision. The compact nature of PICs allows for the development of lightweight and comfortable wearables that provide real-time health monitoring. Commercial companies have demonstrated &nbsp;PIC-enabled systems for spectroscopic breath analysis. It can reveal diseases or metabolic disorders based on the detection of trace gases like methane and nitric oxide. In this direction, laser-based absorption spectroscopy is used to combine high sensitivity and high temporal resolution. The miniaturization and mass production offered by PICs can adopt this spectroscopic technique into handheld devices. In this context, commercial companies are attempting to demonstrate a sensor that can be mounted in a smartwatch to enable the monitoring of a range of different biomarkers.&nbsp;</p><h3 dir="ltr">Point of Care (PoC) Diagnostics</h3><p dir="ltr">As already outlined, PIC-enabled biosensors can be very efficient in detecting pathogens based on the measurement of changes in the refractive index of their waveguides. The main advantage of such methods is that the resulting measurements can be very accurate. Moreover, based on such devices it is possible to detect different pathogens using a single chip with only a single sample. As a prominent example, <a href="https://www.phix.com/">PHIX</a> provides the packaging for a PoC diagnostics biosensing platform, which is enabled by a PIC that comprises Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and photodiodes. The latter are integrated within a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), along with protective layers. This packaging leads to a cost-effective disposable cartridge that can be integrated within a portable diagnostics device.</p><p dir="ltr">As another example, <a href="https://bialoom.com/">Bialoom</a> integrates PICs in their proprietary silicon plasmo-photonic biosensor technology, which combines silicon photonics and plasmonics. This technology is used to create biochips embedded in disposable cartridges, designed for rapid and sensitive detection of biomarkers from blood samples. The primary application of Biabloom’s biochips is the diagnosis and treatment of severe infections, which provides a point-of-care diagnostic solution that enables quick and evidence-based medical decisions.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Optical Sensors in Minimally Invasive Surgeries&nbsp;</h3><p dir="ltr">Minimally invasive surgeries require precision and real-time feedback. PICs enable the development of sophisticated optical sensors that provide surgeons with critical information during procedures. For example, application-specific photonic integrated circuits (ASPICs) can offer haptic feedback to surgeons, which enhances their ability to perform delicate operations with greater accuracy.</p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733744489308-robot+1.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The above-listed applications illustrate that the integration of PICs into MedTech goes beyond mere technological improvements. It enables a paradigm shift that is enabled by a combination of hardware, software and process related innovations (e.g., innovations in diagnostic operations). PIC-enabled solutions are more efficient, cost-effective, and scalable, which enables innovative healthcare solution integration.&nbsp;</p><h2 dir="ltr">Industry Leaders Insights on the Future of PIC-based MedTech&nbsp;</h2><p dir="ltr">Recent research initiatives have demonstrated the future of integrating PIC microsystems within MedTech devices and applications. For instance, Maarten Buijs, the CEO of <a href="https://www.surfixdx.com/">Surfix Diagnostics</a> envisions that <a href="https://www.phix.com/markets/medical-devices/">future photonic biochips will integrate both light sources and signal detectors to enable the next generation of point of care devices</a>.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">In the near future, PICs could be widely used to provide rapid laboratory testing results from simple samples (e.g., urine), which will boost timely diagnostics and more effective treatments. Likewise, PICs will reduce the cost of complexity of blood tests, which could transfer laboratory-level diagnostics at the point of care. As a prominent example, <a href="https://siphoxhealth.com/">SiPhox Health</a> has already developed a silicon photonic chip for <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/siphox-health-introduces-worlds-first-lab-quality-home-blood-testing-platform-at-ces-301714545.html">home-based blood testing</a>, which enables an innovative approach to providing high-quality blood test results quickly and efficiently at home. The company’s solution can measure up to fifty biomarkers from home, which enables patients to gain insights on their heart health, check for inflammation, and access information about the functioning of their thyroid, metabolism, and hormones.</p><p dir="ltr">There are also PICs applications in biological research beyond PoC diagnostics. As a prominent example, <a href="https://www.imec-int.com/en/articles/integrated-photonics-guiding-light-next-gen-medtech-tools">IMEC highlights the use of silicon nitride-based photonic platforms in medical applications</a>. These platforms could get a boost by the integration of III-V light sources into photonic circuits, which will enable medical tools such as fluorescence microscopy used in DNA sequencing and biological research. Relevant research focuses on the use of photonics on chips to create light interference patterns for very high-resolution <a href="https://www.olympus-lifescience.com/en/microscope-resource/primer/lightandcolor/fluoroexcitation/">fluorescent excitation</a>.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Overall, recent advances in PICs and their integration in MedTech applications demonstrate the potential of this technology to transform healthcare. Nowadays, almost 27 years after the development of the<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925400597802547">&nbsp;first SiN PIC-based sensing devices</a>, there is a growing number of PIC applications that are already transforming diagnostic tools, enhancing wearable devices, and improving surgical outcomes. Most importantly, the precision, size, cost-effectiveness and non-invasive operations advantage of the technology make it an enabler for a whole range of novel healthcare applications that are hardly possible nowadays. In the years to come, it is highly likely that PICs enable innovative applications beyond what is available today, which will further revolutionize healthcare delivery.</p><hr><h2>The Global Photonics Engineering Contest is now live!</h2><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The Global Photonics Engineering Contest invites engineers, innovators, and startups to push the boundaries of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) and create applications that address complex engineering challenges and push the boundaries of the industry. Whether you’re in semiconductors, data &amp; telecom, medtech, or agritech, we want to see your breakthrough idea that can harness the power of PICs to change the world.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733741315174-Untitled+%281920+x+500+px%29+%281%29.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>Prize:</strong> €50,000 worth of services from the PhotonDelta ecosystem to to make your idea market-ready + a chance to receive up to €2 million in pre-seed funding.</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Audience:</strong> Open to all engineers, researchers, OEMs, hardware manufacturers, startups/scale-ups, research teams, and students working on innovative PIC applications.</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Early Bird Opportunity:&nbsp;</strong>All submissions received by 31st December 2024, will receive <strong>personalized feedback from PhotonDelta engineers.</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>End date:</strong> March 3rd 2025</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest?utm_source=photon+delta&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=photonics" class="button-main-action">ENTER THE CHALLENGE NOW</a></p><hr><p><br></p>

There has been a growing interest in research and commercial applications for PICs for various markets, including medical technology (MedTech), as they offer compact optical solutions at a low cost when mass-produced. 


Unlocking the Power of Photonic Integrated Circuits in MedTech

<p id="isPasted"><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html/" target="_blank">Six in 10</a> Americans are living with at least one chronic disease, and four in 10 Americans have two or more chronic diseases. Some of those diseases, such as hypothyroidism and inflammatory diseases, require individuals to carefully track certain blood tests in order to manage their conditions. Unfortunately, that usually means an onerous cycle of scheduling appointments, traveling to hospitals, and waiting for lab results.</p><p>Now SiPhox Health is working to help patients and their doctors manage diseases from the comfort of their home with a new kind of blood test based on a silicon photonic chip. The system is the size of a coffee maker and can produce precise readings for 20 different biomarkers.</p><p>The chip-based device is not yet FDA-cleared, so it is currently only being used for research purposes, but SiPhox also provides mail-in blood testing to thousands of people with chronic diseases, both directly and through other health care and wellness businesses, using approved technology. The company hopes its new system can soon deliver faster results to every home that needs it.</p><p>“A lot of blood tests aren’t done because they're too inconvenient,” SiPhox founder and former MIT researcher Michael Dubrovsky says. “People skip scheduled blood tests, and physicians don’t always prescribe blood tests because they know it’s inconvenient. That requires them to base their decisions on symptoms, and that’s not optimal for many of these chronic diseases.”</p><p>Dubrovsky and SiPhox co-founder Diedrik Vermeulen met at MIT while researching photonic chip and laser technology. They see SiPhox’s technology as the latest in a long trend toward smaller and more scalable devices as they are condensed onto integrated chips.</p><p>“Biolabs typically do blood testing with these large instruments that are full of optics, lasers, lenses, mirrors, and all these very expensive features,” Vermeulen says. “We don’t change any of the main features. We leave all the optics the same, but we miniaturize it onto our chips and make it so scalable that you can ship it to homes. It’s like how computers used to be the size of a room and you could only find them in high-end universities — now they’re all on a chip. We’re doing the same for blood testing.”</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 832px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1731976955976-MIT-SiPhox-03-press.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">"We can offer a new way for people to access health care in their home," Vermeulen says. Pictured is an example of the package sent to clients. Image: Courtesy of SiPhox Health</span></span></span></p><h2><strong>Photonic chips with electric properties</strong></h2><p>Dubrovsky and Vermeulen met through the MIT ecosystem in 2019. Vermeulen had worked in MIT’s Silicon Photonics Group within the Research Laboratory of Electronics and Dubrovsky was working in the MIT Materials for Micro and Nano Systems group.</p><p>The two quickly bonded over a new way to approach optical chips.</p><p>“We had this idea of doing optical chips more like a printed circuit board,” Vermeulen explains. “Electrical chips incorporate a lot of chips on one circuit board, but optical chips typically do everything with a single chip. We wanted to combine optical chips into a new kind of circuit board.”</p><p>The founders met regularly in the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship to refine their approach. In February of 2020, they started filing patents and receiving guidance from MIT professors. They also entered the START.nano program, which helps early-stage companies accelerate their innovations by giving them access to MIT.nano’s laboratories and equipment.</p><p>The same lasers that are used to mass produce traditional silicon chips can be used to manufacture SiPhox’s integrated photonic silicon chips. Each 1-millimeter chip contains lenses, polarizers, modulators, splitters, and other optical components you’d see in a traditional lab-based system, but SiPhox’s chips are cheap enough to be single-use.</p><p>Just as the founders were deciding on the first application for their new chip, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. They took that as a sign.</p><p>“We decided to focus on biosensing, with one of our chips being disposable and the other one being reusable,” Vermeulen says.</p><p>The founders worked to detect infectious disease with their chips but realized the technology was better suited for high-fidelity blood testing.</p><p>“I worked a lot on tunable lasers at MIT, and we use a slightly different approach to lasers at SiPhox,” Vermeulen says. “We applied all of the lessons we learned at MIT to design something from scratch.”</p><p>SiPhox’s chip testing system works with third-party arm patches that people already use to collect blood samples at home. Dubrovsky likens the system to a Nespresso machine in which users simply place a pod into the machine and press a button. Each of SiPhox’s disposable cartridges contains an array of photonic immunoassay sensors that can be used to detect specific proteins or hormones.</p><p>The system includes a dashboard that can be viewed by a physician or the patient themselves to get biomarker data at home. The dashboard also provides historic data and educational content about the biomarkers measured. SiPhox also uses large language models to parse third-party blood test data, allowing users to track traditional blood tests in the same dashboard.</p><p>Because the approach makes use of semiconductor lasers and silicon chips, the founders say a single traditional chip manufacturing facility, or fab, could produce 1 billion of SiPhox’s chips every month.</p><p>“Our technology is very scalable because it’s all on a chip,” Vermeulen says. “There are only two ways to really scale something: You can do injection molding; that’s how you produce billions of plastic cups, for instance. But if you want to scale something very complex, you have to put it on a silicon chip.”</p><h2><strong>A platform for health</strong></h2><p>The founders believe their technology could enable a world where tracking biomarkers is as easy as brushing your teeth. That would have huge implications for the tens of millions of Americans who need to get regular blood tests to manage chronic diseases.</p><p>“For people with inflammatory diseases, tracking inflammation levels is very important because they can develop resistance to their medicine,” Dubrovsky says. “Once they experience symptoms of a flare-up, it’s very hard to reverse. And these symptoms can be horrible, so catching it early is really important.”</p><p>To gain FDA clearance, SiPhox plans to begin studies in coming months, but its system’s accuracy has already been validated by third parties, and the company’s Burlington, Massachusetts, facility is capable of manufacturing about 10,000 of its cartridges per month.</p><p>Once SiPhox gains FDA clearance, it plans to partner with health care systems, health insurers, employers, and mail-in blood testing companies to help people everywhere track their health.</p><p>“We can offer a new way for people to access health care in their home,” Vermeulen says. “Once they have our blood testing device, whether for a chronic disease or something else, anytime they want telehealth-enabled by blood testing, they can use our device, similar to how Apple users have access to third-party apps from many different service providers. Siphox users will have access to curated third-party services built on top of the core blood testing capability.”</p>

SiPhox Health is working to help patients and their doctors manage diseases from the comfort of their home with a new kind of blood test based on a silicon photonic chip. Image: Courtesy of SiPhox Health

The startup SiPhox, founded by two former MIT researchers, has developed an integrated photonic chip for high-quality, home-based blood testing.

Bringing lab testing to the home

<html><head></head><body><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The future of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) is brighter than ever, and the Global Photonics Engineering Contest is set to drive this momentum forward. Hosted together by PhotonDelta and Wevolver, this contest calls on tech-savvy engineers and innovators to tackle the engineering challenges of tomorrow. Launched against the backdrop of this year’s PIC Summit, which saw over 700 industry leaders, including government officials, semiconductor experts, and photonics professionals to discuss the future of the photonic chip industry, the contest underscores the urgent need to advance photonic chip technologies to address critical societal challenges.</p><h2 dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Engineering Challenge: Driving Innovation</h2><p dir="ltr">The Global Photonics Engineering Challenge is a pioneering contest that is shaping the future of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) engineering. Hosted by PhotonDelta, an industry accelerator of the development of the photonic chip ecosystem, and Wevolver, a platform dedicated to democratizing engineering innovation, the contest highlights the critical role photonics will play in the future of multiple industries. It is further supported by key actors in the integrated photonics industry: imec, PHIX Photonics Assembly, SMART Photonics, BRIGHT integrated Photonics, Epiphany, and LioniX International.</p><p dir="ltr">The challenge invites participants to design groundbreaking PIC-based solutions across a broad spectrum of industries, from telecommunications and medical devices to quantum computing and environmental monitoring. With the competition focusing on next-generation PICs, participants are encouraged to explore practical applications that could redefine the technological landscape.</p><p dir="ltr">Winners will not only gain €50,000 of services from the PhotonDelta ecosystem to make their idea market-ready and a chance to receive up to €2 million in pre-seed funding, but will also have the opportunity to get recognition among the global photonics community and collaborate with industry leaders to develop their idea.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The competition is open for applications from now until the <strong>3rd of March</strong> for any one from startups, established companies, engineers, researchers, students, and academic organizations working on next-generation photonic circuits that tackle pressing societal challenges in areas such as sustainability, healthcare and climate change.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">This challenge is more than a contest—it’s a way to help shape the future of technology, enabling engineers to demonstrate the potential of PICs in addressing critical societal and industrial challenges.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" id="isPasted" class="button-main-action">Read more and apply</a></p><h3 dir="ltr">Why the Challenge Matters</h3><p dir="ltr">This year's PIC Summit highlighted the need for innovation and collaboration to continue advancing the applications of integrated photonics, &nbsp;as it is rapidly becoming a critical component in many industries, thanks to its ability to provide ultra-fast data transmission, energy-efficient computing, and compact hardware. However, the design and integration of PICs remain complex. Engineers must overcome significant challenges related to fabrication, power consumption, and scalability. The Global Photonics Engineering Challenge serves as a platform for innovators to present creative solutions to these challenges while showcasing the untapped potential of photonic technologies.</p><p dir="ltr">For engineers, this challenge offers an opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology, collaborate with leading professionals, and contribute to transformative solutions. It highlights the critical role that PIC engineering plays in solving global problems and drives home the importance of continuing advancements in this field.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Key Highlights and Insights from PIC Summit 2024</h2><p dir="ltr">The&nbsp;PIC Summit 2024&nbsp;was a hub of cutting-edge discussions, bringing together over 700 leaders from governments, the semiconductor industry, and the photonic chip sector. The focus of the summit was to explore how photonics can drive the next wave of technological advancements. Leaders emphasized the need for greater European cooperation to remain competitive in the global market and stressed the importance of government support to fuel innovation.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Three Key Themes from This Year’s PIC Summit:</h3><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Industry Roadmaps and Trends:</strong> Discussions on the global photonics roadmap provided valuable insights into where the industry is headed. Experts delved into the latest advancements in materials, fabrication techniques, and applications that are driving the photonic sector forward.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>The Role of Startups and SMEs:</strong> This year's PIC Summit highlighted the crucial role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in pushing the boundaries of PIC technology. The summit saw several sessions where start ups pitch their applications in biosensing, quantum computing and imaging.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Quantum Computing and Photonics:</strong> With the rise of quantum computing, photonics is being explored as a viable technology to enable the creation of quantum bits (qubits) at scale. Sessions dedicated to this topic revealed how photonics could overcome current quantum computing challenges, particularly in scaling and error correction.</p></li></ol><h3 dir="ltr">Be a Part of The Future of Photonic Integrated Circuit Engineering: Apply to the Global Photonics Engineering Challenge</h3><p dir="ltr">The PIC Summit 2024 and the&nbsp;Global Photonics Engineering Challenge&nbsp;represent a monumental shift in how the world views photonic integrated circuits. As governments, industries, and engineers come together to drive the next wave of photonic innovation, the future holds immense potential for transformative applications in a variety of fields.</p><p dir="ltr">For engineers, this is an exciting time. Whether you are involved in telecommunications, computing, healthcare, or environmental technologies, photonic integrated circuits are set to change the game. The&nbsp;Global Photonics Engineering Challenge&nbsp;offers a unique opportunity to contribute to this revolution while gaining recognition in an industry that is poised for exponential growth.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/global-photonics-engineering-contest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="button-main-action">&nbsp;Read more and apply</a></p></body></html>

Industry Leaders Emphasize the Role of Innovation and Cooperation in Developing Integrated Photonic Applications to Address Societal Challenges.

The Future of Photonics: Global Engineering Challenge Officially Launced at PIC Summit 2024

<p id="isPasted">MIT researchers have developed a miniature, chip-based “tractor beam,” like the one that captures the Millennium Falcon<em>&nbsp;</em>in the film “Star Wars,” that could someday help biologists and clinicians study DNA, classify cells, and investigate the mechanisms of disease.</p><p>Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the device uses a beam of light emitted by a silicon-photonics chip to manipulate particles millimeters away from the chip surface. The light can penetrate the glass cover slips that protect samples used in biological experiments, enabling cells to remain in a sterile environment.</p><p>Traditional optical tweezers, which trap and manipulate particles using light, usually require bulky microscope setups, but chip-based optical tweezers could offer a more compact, mass manufacturable, broadly accessible, and high-throughput solution for optical manipulation in biological experiments.</p><p>However, other similar integrated optical tweezers can only capture and manipulate cells that are very close to or directly on the chip surface. This contaminates the chip and can stress the cells, limiting compatibility with standard biological experiments.</p><p>Using a system called an integrated optical phased array, the MIT researchers have developed a new modality for integrated optical tweezers that enables trapping and tweezing of cells more than a hundred times further away from the chip surface.</p><p>“This work opens up new possibilities for chip-based optical tweezers by enabling trapping and tweezing of cells at much larger distances than previously demonstrated. It’s exciting to think about the different applications that could be enabled by this technology,” says Jelena Notaros, the Robert J. Shillman Career Development Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), and a member of the Research Laboratory of Electronics.</p><p>Joining Notaros on the paper are lead author and EECS graduate student Tal Sneh; Sabrina Corsetti, an EECS graduate student; Milica Notaros PhD ’23; Kruthika Kikkeri PhD ’24; and Joel Voldman, the William R. Brody Professor of EECS. The research&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52273-x" target="_blank">appears today in&nbsp;<em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p><h2><strong>A new trapping modality</strong></h2><p>Optical traps and tweezers use a focused beam of light to capture and manipulate tiny particles. The forces exerted by the beam will pull microparticles toward the intensely focused light in the center, capturing them. By steering the beam of light, researchers can pull the microparticles along with it, enabling them to manipulate tiny objects using noncontact forces.</p><p>However, optical tweezers traditionally require a large microscope setup in a lab, as well as multiple devices to form and control light, which limits where and how they can be utilized.</p><p>“With silicon photonics, we can take this large, typically lab-scale system and integrate it onto a chip. This presents a great solution for biologists, since it provides them with optical trapping and tweezing functionality without the overhead of a complicated bulk-optical setup,” Notaros says.</p><p>But so far, chip-based optical tweezers have only been capable of emitting light very close to the chip surface, so these prior devices could only capture particles a few microns off the chip surface. Biological specimens are typically held in sterile environments using glass cover slips that are about 150 microns thick, so the only way to manipulate them with such a chip is to take the cells out and place them on its surface.</p><p>However, that leads to chip contamination. Every time a new experiment is done, the chip has to be thrown away and the cells need to be put onto a new chip.</p><p>To overcome these challenges, the MIT researchers developed a silicon photonics chip that emits a beam of light that focuses about 5 millimeters above its surface. This way, they can capture and manipulate biological particles that remain inside a sterile cover slip, protecting both the chip and particles from contamination.</p><h2><strong>Manipulating light</strong></h2><p>The researchers accomplish this using a system called an integrated optical phased array. This technology involves a series of microscale antennas fabricated on a chip using semiconductor manufacturing processes. By electronically controlling the optical signal emitted by each antenna, researchers can shape and steer the beam of light emitted by the chip.</p><p>Motivated by long-range applications like lidar, most prior integrated optical phased arrays weren’t designed to generate the tightly focused beams needed for optical tweezing. The MIT team discovered that, by creating specific phase patterns for each antenna, they could form an intensely focused beam of light, which can be used for optical trapping and tweezing millimeters from the chip’s surface.</p><p>“No one had created silicon-photonics-based optical tweezers capable of trapping microparticles over a millimeter-scale distance before. This is an improvement of several orders of magnitude higher compared to prior demonstrations,” says Notaros.</p><p>By varying the wavelength of the optical signal that powers the chip, the researchers could steer the focused beam over a range larger than a millimeter and with microscale accuracy.</p><p>To test their device, the researchers started by trying to capture and manipulate tiny polystyrene spheres. Once they succeeded, they moved on to trapping and tweezing cancer cells provided by the Voldman group.</p><p>“There were many unique challenges that came up in the process of applying silicon photonics to biophysics,” Sneh adds.</p><p>The researchers had to determine how to track the motion of sample particles in a semiautomated fashion, ascertain the proper trap strength to hold the particles in place, and effectively postprocess data, for instance.</p><p>In the end, they were able to show the first cell experiments with single-beam optical tweezers.</p><p>Building off these results, the team hopes to refine the system to enable an adjustable focal height for the beam of light. They also want to apply the device to different biological systems and use multiple trap sites at the same time to manipulate biological particles in more complex ways.</p><p>“This is a very creative and important paper in many ways,” says Ben Miller, Dean’s Professor of Dermatology and professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of Rochester, who was not involved with this work. “For one, given that silicon photonic chips can be made at low cost, it potentially democratizes optical tweezing experiments. That may sound like something that only would be of interest to a few scientists, but in reality having these systems widely available will allow us to study fundamental problems in single-cell biophysics in ways previously only available to a few labs given the high cost and complexity of the instrumentation. I can also imagine many applications where one of these devices (or possibly an array of them) could be used to improve the sensitivity of disease diagnostic.”</p>

This chip-based "tractor-beam," which uses an intensely focused beam of light to capture and manipulate biological particles without damaging the cells, could help biologists study the mechanisms of diseases. Credit: Sampson Wilcox, RLE

The tiny device uses a tightly focused beam of light to capture and manipulate cells.

MIT engineers create a chip-based tractor beam for biological particles

Design the next generation application with Photonic Chips

Global Photonics Engineering Contest

Exploring Silicon Photonics: Shaping the Future of Optical Communication

Silicon Photonics: A Comprehensive Guide to the Future of Optical Communications

<p data-block-key="al8jp" id="isPasted">In those latter applications, lasers that can emit extremely short pulses—those on the order of one-trillionth of a second (one picosecond) or shorter—are especially useful. Using lasers operating on such small timescales, researchers can study physical and chemical phenomena that occur extremely quickly—for example, the making or breaking of molecular bonds in a chemical reaction or the movement of electrons within materials. These ultrashort pulses are also extensively used for imaging applications because they can have extremely large peak intensities but low average power, so they avoid heating or even burning up samples such as biological tissues.</p><p data-block-key="6iqns">In a paper appearing in the journal <em>Science</em>, Caltech's <a href="https://www.eas.caltech.edu/people/amarandi" target="_blank">Alireza Marandi</a>, an assistant professor of electrical engineering and applied physics, describes a new method developed by his lab for making this kind of laser, known as a mode-locked laser, on a photonic chip. The lasers are made using nanoscale components (a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter), allowing them to be integrated into light-based circuits similar to the electricity-based integrated circuits found in modern electronics.</p><p data-block-key="fj3q0" id="isPasted">"We're not just interested in making mode-locked lasers more compact," Marandi says. "We are excited about making a well-performing mode-locked laser on a nanophotonic chip and combining it with other components. That's when we can build a complete ultrafast photonic system in an integrated circuit. This will bring the wealth of ultrafast science and technology, currently belonging to meter-scale experiments, to millimeter-scale chips."</p><p data-block-key="9a3i6">Ultrafast lasers of this sort are so important to research, that this year's Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to a trio of scientists for the development of lasers that produce attosecond pulses (one attosecond is one-quintillionth of a second). Such lasers, however, are currently extremely expensive and bulky, says Marandi—who notes that his research is exploring methods to achieve such timescales on chips that can be orders of magnitude cheaper and smaller, with the aim of developing affordable and deployable ultrafast photonic technologies.</p><p data-block-key="419r7">"These attosecond experiments are done almost exclusively with ultrafast mode-locked lasers," he says. "And some of them can cost as much as $10 million, with a good chunk of that cost being the mode-locked laser. We are really excited to think about how we can replicate those experiments and functionalities in nanophotonics."</p><p data-block-key="eb773">At the heart of the nanophotonic mode-locked laser developed by Marandi's lab is lithium niobate, a synthetic salt with unique optical and electrical properties that, in this case, allows the laser pulses to be controlled and shaped through the application of an external radio-frequency electrical signal. This approach is known as active mode-locking with intracavity phase modulation.</p><p data-block-key="fpnt1">"About 50 years ago, researchers used intracavity phase modulation in tabletop experiments to make mode-locked lasers and decided that it was not a great fit compared to other techniques," says Qiushi Guo, the first author of the paper and a former postdoctoral scholar in Marandi's lab. "But we found it to be a great fit for our integrated platform."</p><p data-block-key="855j1">"Beyond its compact size, our laser also exhibits a range of intriguing properties. For example, we can precisely tune the repetition frequency of the output pulses in a wide range. We can leverage this to develop chip-scale stabilized frequency comb sources, which are vital for frequency metrology and precision sensing," adds Guo, who is now an assistant professor at the City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center.</p><p data-block-key="bdu50">Marandi says he aims to continue improving this technology so it can operate at even shorter timescales and higher peak powers, with a goal of 50 femtoseconds (a femtosecond is one-quadrillionth of a second), which would be a 100-fold improvement over his current device, which generates pulses 4.8 picoseconds in length.</p><hr><p data-block-key="ekctn">The paper describing the research is titled "<a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adj5438" target="_blank">Ultrafast mode-locked laser in nanophotonic lithium niobite</a>" and appears in the November 9 issue of <em>Science</em>. Co-authors are Benjamin K. Gutierrez (MS '23), graduate student in applied physics; electrical engineering graduate students Ryoto Sekine (MS '22), Robert M. Gray (MS '22), James A. Williams, Selina Zhou (BS '22), and Mingchen Liu; Luis Ledezma (PhD '23), an external affiliate in electrical engineering; Luis Costa, formerly at Caltech and now with JPL, which Caltech manages for NASA; and Arkadev Roy (MS '23, PhD '23), formerly of Caltech and now with UC Berkeley .</p>

Lasers have become relatively commonplace in everyday life, but they have many uses outside of providing light shows at raves and scanning barcodes on groceries. Lasers are also of great importance in telecommunications and computing as well as biology, chemistry, and physics research.

Ultrafast Lasers on Ultra-Tiny Chips

<section><p><strong>Photonic chips, powered by light rather than electricity, are the future. They will pave the way for self-driving vehicles, innovations in healthcare, and, of course, energy-efficient data and telecommunications. But bridging academic research to industry is not so straightforward. With this in mind, TU Eindhoven, University of Twente, TNO and PhotonDelta are launching the <em>Photonic Integration Technology Center&nbsp;</em>(PITC), a R&amp;D center focused on accelerating the development of integrated photonics technology.</strong></p></section><section tabindex="-1"><p>The possibilities of our current electronic chip technology are slowly but surely reaching their limits due to resistance, which is released in the form of heat as electrons travel through the copper conduits between transistors in chips. That resistance weakens the signal as it passes through the material. &nbsp;</p><p>Unlike electrons, light particles, or photons, lack mass and charge so they do not experience resistance. Moreover, light has properties allowing it to carry much more information, making it the ideal technique to accelerate the transfer of data within and between chips. Provided you know how to tame the light in the right way.</p><h3>From Lab To Fab</h3><p>TU/e has been putting significant investments into this lighting technology for years, and is a global leader in integrated photonic research. And while TU/e is well known for its close cooperation with industry, making the step from lab to factory could do with an extra push. Hence the new <em>Photonic Integration Technology Center.</em></p><p>Sylwester Latkowski, TU/e researcher and the brand-new scientific director of the Center: "This R&amp;D center will build a bridge to really get photonic chips to the market. In fact, we experience a gap when it comes to maturing the technology. As researchers, we work up to an advanced prototype, but the industry lacks the resources to move forward with that," Latkowski explains.</p><h3>Knowing What The Market Needs</h3><p>He continues: "Our role model is <a href="https://www.imec-int.com/en/about-us" target="_blank">imec</a>, the R&amp;D hub for nano and digital technologies for semiconductor electronics industry. With them you really see how much value there is of having a large center for research and development in the chain. And that such an overarching center can perfectly well co-exist alongside the established institutes, start-ups, companies, large industries and universities."</p><p>Fortunately our work is not a matter of conjecture. Latkowski: "We know exactly what we need to do, what the next steps are and how we need to approach them. The bandwidth, the energy consumption, the price and the time frame.”</p><p>"In this respect, we also differ from academia. We're not targeting papers or mentoring PhD students. We are purely focused on what the industry is looking for, what the next generation products and applications need and at what moment which product is wanted," he explains.</p><p>This involves a very different scale than what researchers are used to. Latkowski: "Success is defined in a completely different way, and that requires a completely new way of thinking. What may be a large volume for academics and some of the businesses, say thousands of chips, is very small for industry. They measure success by seeing millions of chips a month rolling off the assembly line.”</p><h3>Silicon Or Indium Phosphide?</h3><p>"Electronic chips and multiple forms of photonic chips will be used side by side over the next five to ten years," Latkowski predicts. The center is therefore fully committed to so-called hybridization, integrating a variety of photonic chips alongside electronic ones. As every material has its own strengths.</p><p></p><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 788px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1622716440440-csm_IMG_7878_315a510efc.jpg" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Photo: Florian Lemaitre&nbsp;</span></span></span><p class="fr-img-space-wrap2">He refers to the various materials from which photonic chips can be constructed. A well-known material that TU/e researcher Kevin Williams and his group are working on, for example, is indium phosphide (InP), a material that can generate, modulate and amplify light itself but for which no very-large-scale infrastructure has yet been developed.</p><p>Silicon based chips can more easily be integrated with the current silicon based fabrication processes used for electronics. For example, the chips based on silicon nitride (Si3N4) that the University of Twente is developing or the full silicon chips that TU/e researcher Erik Bakkers and his group are working on, and which was <a href="https://www.tue.nl/en/news/news-overview/08-04-2020-eindhoven-researchers-present-revolutionary-light-emitting-silicon/" target="_blank">recently demonstrated to be capable of emitting light</a>”.</p><h3>Self-Driving Car</h3><p>That there is a market for cost-effective integrated photonic chips is apparent when we look at self-driving cars. Photonic components are already in use for the cameras and LIDAR modules that provide full surveillance of the surrounding and allow the vehicle to accelerate and brake automatically.</p><p>But one LIDAR sensor of an autonomous Google car, for example, can cost as much as 60.000 dollars. An autonomous car needs at least 6 of such sensors to be able to view the surroundings with sufficient extent of detail and not make any mistakes.</p><p>Latkowski: “The car industry has calculated that the photonic components should cost a maximum of 50 dollars to be a cost-effective solution for the car market. Integrated photonics can then be a game-changer. It brings many advantages over discrete component-based photonic systems, in terms of size, stability, performance, reliability, and cost.”</p><p>Full integration, in which one chip contains photonics and electronics together, is the next step. "Only then can photonics chips gradually take over as the costs of production become less and less," Latkowski concludes.</p><hr><p>This article was first published here: <a href="https://www.tue.nl/en/our-university/departments/mathematics-and-computer-science/the-department/news/news-overview/01-06-2021-netherlands-tames-the-light-in-photonic-chips/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tue.nl/en/our-university/departments/mathematics-and-computer-science/the-department/news/news-overview/01-06-2021-netherlands-tames-the-light-in-photonic-chips/</a></p></div><p></p></section>

A new applied R&D center accelerates chip technology development towards industry and applications.

Netherlands tames the light in photonic chips

<p>In 2019 the chipmaking industry churned out more than 634 billion computer chips, generating a global turnover of 412 billion euro’s. Although the companies that design and produce the chips, like Intel, Samsung and NXP, are known the world over, the same cannot be said about the company that makes the incredibly complex machines on which these chips are manufactured. We’re talking of course about ASML, the multinational Brainport-based company that with a sense of irony describes itself as ‘the most important tech company you’ve never heard of’.</p><p>Yet ASML’s lithography machines are the backbone of the chipmaking world. Their incredibly accurate lasers, used by large chip manufacturers, print chip patterns onto silicon wafers with resolutions up to 13 nanometers (a nanometer is a millionth of a millimeter). Although ASML is primarily a hardware company, software has become increasingly important to them over the years. This includes artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), which the company uses to improve machine performance.</p><p>As a senior program manager Arnaud Hubaux drives the adoption of AI at ASML. Hubaux introduced machine learning solutions to detect defects during production and optimise the behaviour of their lithography machines. “We use AI as a complementary technology to our product portfolio, which helps our customers get the most out of their chip manufacturing processes,” he says.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Firstly, can you tell us why ASML decided to co-invest in the AI Innovation Center?</strong></p><p>Hubaux: “Many people don’t realise that ASML’s chipmaking machines rely extensively on software to produce and maintain nanometer precision. That includes machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions. The AI Innovation Center is a gateway for us to talk about the challenges of what AI means in that context. Also, with the start of this Center I’m excited that students fresh out of university can immediately learn to apply AI at a scale where a manufacturing process can rely on it. That’s a completely different ballgame than just knowing the mathematical background. The Center is also a way of promoting what we do in the ‘AI for Good’ scope and giving back to the community.”</p><p>Since ASML’s technology is driven primarily by physics — mathematical formulas and models lie at the heart of their lithography systems — adding AI or ML to their toolset wasn’t a foregone conclusion, says Arnaud. Yet he saw a possibility for algorithms to optimise the performance of their machines in order to improve the ‘yield’, the number of good wafers produced per day.</p><p>Optimisation is crucial, since lithography processes can malfunction and ‘drift’. In a business where every nanometer counts process drift is a potential showstopper, which is why ASML engineers are always monitoring and recalibrating machines to perform up to par. “We tried to push the optimisation with our standard physical model,” Hubaux says, “but we were limited by the fact that we didn’t know what was happening in the customer environment.”<br></p><p>Since protection of intellectual property (like chip designs and manufacturing processes) is top priority for chipmakers, each lithography machine operates in a black box environment, completely off-grid and unconnected to any cloud or internet. Hubaux: “We provide all the knobs the customer can turn. Customers configure our machines to their specific production process. So we’re like a car dealer selling a car and knowing exactly how it can perform, but the customer actually drives that car.”</p><p>Without knowing how the machine is configured and used by their customers, it’s all but impossible to achieve full optimisation. That’s where machine learning came in handy, says Hubaux. “For optimisation you have to understand how the domain works. But for us the customer domain is a no-go area. So if I cannot go there myself, I need someone to tell me when I’m right and when I’m wrong. That’s where machine learning imposed itself as the solution, because it is designed to address this kind of issue. The algorithm was able to learn the parts that we didn’t know, which really helped us to further push the boundary of optimisation.”<br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>But how can you train your algorithm if&nbsp;</strong><strong>you do not have actual manufacturing data from the customer?</strong></p><p>Hubaux: “Yes, that’s the interesting part. The whole essence of machine learning is data, that’s how you train the model. In our case the data is owned and protected by the customer, it’s their life blood and competitive edge. We have to make clear agreements about that with customers. After all, this intellectual property is the competitive catalyst for the industry. For machine learning it means that we cannot do what most solutions do, which is to train your model first and then deploy it. Instead we’re using a completely untrained model, like a baby that cannot read or write.”<br></p><p><strong>So how does an untrained model learn?</strong><br>“Our algorithm only needs to know whether each step of the printing process is performed correctly or not. That pass/fail label is supplied to us by the customer. Based on that feedback alone we can tune and train the model, so it slowly adapts its behaviour for the specific context of that customer. Then we can do the finetuning on our machines and help the customers optimise their manufacturing process, without knowing anything about the chip design or manufacturing process itself.”</p><p>Apart from machine optimisation ASML is also using AI to detect defects during visual inspections of the wafers. Algorithms can be trained to spot anomalies in high resolution images of parts of the wafer very efficiently. Machine learning is also helping to correct deformations in the processing of laser images on the wafer. Hubaux says these can all be done in-house with ASML’s own data.</p><p>According to Hubaux the biggest challenge in applying AI in business is industrialisation or ensuring a solution always performs well at customer locations. And for that, Hubaux says, explainability or being able to reason exactly why the algorithm is performing like it does, whether good or bad, is crucial. “Machine learning is a bit of a black box, you don’t know exactly what goes on under the hood. That is why it is extremely important to always be able to explain what is going on inside the model and link it to physics. We invest in these solutions, but we also invest in explaining how they work and behave.”</p><p>Hubaux is critical about hailing AI as the saviour of innovation. Algorithms are useful, but they also have their limits, he says. “For an innovative semiconductor equipment maker like us, you know that new generations of products and systems will never solely depend on AI, because AI needs data to perform and the data is not even there yet. The roadmap for innovation is driven by customer demand and realised by our multi-disciplinary engineering teams around the world. So AI will never be the gatekeeper to produce new generations of lithography systems. But AI does help us to squeeze every possible bit of performance out of our existing machines.”</p><hr><p><strong><em>AI Leadership Forum</em></strong></p><p>Arnaud &nbsp;<span data-ccp-props='{"335559740":288}'>is one of the keynote speakers during the first edition of the AI Leadership Forum on April 22nd. See the list of speakers and register&nbsp;</span><a href="https://hightechcampus.com/events/ai-leadership-forum" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span data-ccp-props='{"335559740":288}'>here</span></a><span data-ccp-props='{"335559740":288}'>.</span></p><p><span data-ccp-props='{"335559740":288}'><strong>High Tech Campus Eindhoven</strong></span></p><p>Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a game changer both for industry and society. To ride the wave of this technological revolution, High Tech Campus Eindhoven in cooperation with NXP, Signify, ASML and Philips has recently opened the AI Innovation Center on Campus. In this 1100 square meter hub organisations can develop strategies, talent, knowledge and skills in the vastly evolving field of AI.&nbsp;</p><p>In this interview series managers from the four founding companies share their insights on the role of AI both in their companies and the world at large.</p>

Arnaud Hubaux, Senior Technical Program Manager at ASML

Arnaud Hubaux, Senior Technical Program Manager explains about optimization of ASML machines as part of a series from the founding partners of the AI Innovation Center at High Tech Campus Eindhoven.

AI helps us to squeeze every possible bit of performance out of our machines

<h1>Introduction</h1><p>The automotive industry is going through a rapid transformation driven by electrification, autonomous vehicles &amp; driver support systems, and changes in mobility patterns and city infrastructure. These trends will influence the physical design and capability of commercial, public, and individual vehicles and the broader social and economic impacts of changes to car/fleet ownership and use. The increased need for sensors in vehicles, in the electric/hybrid drivetrains and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) up to autonomous driving systems, creates new significant opportunities for the integrated photonics industry.</p><p>Combustion engine vehicles are facing increasing emission legislation demands. This is leading to accelerated innovation in electric vehicles (EV) and a <a href="https://www.eenewsautomotive.com/news/number-automotive-ecus-continues-rise" target="_blank">very strong increase of electronics</a> in vehicles in two key areas: Power electronics and sensors in EV and Sensors and computing/networking for ADAS in autonomous vehicles.</p><p dir="ltr">Integrated photonics offers <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/key-application-areas-for-integrated-photonics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">promising solutions</a> in both areas. Integrated photonics is the rapidly <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/an-introduction-to-integrated-photonics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">emerging field of photonics</a> that works to integrate multiple photonic functions into integrated circuits for communication, sensing, and, going forward, computing applications. Complex photonic circuits can now generate, process, and detect light, in analogy to how electronic integrated circuits do for electronic signals by way of connecting multiple discrete single-function components (e.g. dedicated lasers, photodetectors) and relevant optical interfaces.</p><p dir="ltr">This article will give an overview of the applications in automotive that hold the most potential for Integrated Photonic potential. Additionally, it will introduce the PhotonDelta Integrated Photonic Automotive roadmap.&nbsp;</p><h1 dir="ltr">Automotive applications with potential Integrated photonic content&nbsp;</h1><p>As the amount of electronic content in cars continues to increase the potential for PIC also rises rapidly. &nbsp;There is a wide range of applications within the future motor vehicle suitable for PIC.</p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjE3MTc4NTM3MTkxLUlNQUdFIDgtMDEuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><h1>FMCW lidar and Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors</h1><p>Two areas with the most potential for PIC are FMCW Lidar and Fiber Bragg Grating interrogators.</p><h2>FMCW (Frequency-modulated coherent wave) lidar</h2><p>Lidar is a complementary sensor technology to radar and cameras for ADAS and autonomous vehicles. It works by actively scanning its environment with a laser beam and detecting the return signal to measure distance and speed (for some versions). Different operating principles and many different technical solutions exist, and the technology is developing rapidly under the increased investment from major automotive manufacturers.</p><p>FMCW lidar is gaining traction because it can offer higher sensitivity and measure the speed at the same time. This principle is very well suited for using Integrated Photonics. Future electric vehicle designs are expected to host multiple Lidar, particularly vehicles with elevated autonomous driving functions.&nbsp;</p><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 788px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjE3MDEzMjU5ODQ5LUlNQUdFIDItMDEuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">Possible sensor set up for autonomous vehicles.&nbsp;</span></span></span><h3 class="fr-img-space-wrap2">FMCW lidar using integrated photonics</h3></div><p>The challenge to bringing an FMCW solution to market has been the lack of low-cost, high-volume manufacturing of the required high-performance components. Affordable FMCW lidar solutions require all-optical functionalities to be integrated into a single silicon chip. PIC offers the level of manufacturing control and accuracy needed for integrated circuits to achieve superior performance and the functionality needed to enable a robust, cost-effective, and high-quality product.</p><p>A low-noise, low-loss, and polarization-independent technology will enable very high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) so even lower optical powers can be used. Thus, even when humans are close to the sensor, it will remain eye-safe for the detection of distant objects. Measuring objects a few centimeters in dimension &gt;200 m away should be within the capability of integrated circuit-based FMCW lidar.</p><p>Improvements in lidar bring deliver better driver assist systems and will ultimately be essential to widespread autonomous vehicle design. However, FMCW lidar also has massive potential for use in other types of ‘vehicles’ such as autonomous robots for use in manufacturing, healthcare, and infrastructure monitoring.&nbsp;</p><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 788px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjE3MDEyOTE5MTI3LWNsZWFycGF0aC5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">Lidar will be employed across robotics applications. Image: Clearpath</span></span></span><h3 class="fr-img-space-wrap2">Fiber Bragg Grating sensors using integrated photonics</h3></div><p>Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors work on the principle that light is reflected or absorbed in a fiber where on specific positions a frequency tuned grating is made. This is dependent on force, pressure, temperature, and strain, all of which can be simultaneously measured with extreme accuracy.</p><p>Most fiber optic sensor systems today make use of FBG technology. FBG-based sensing offers advantages, such as small size, fast response, distributed sensing, and immunity to the electromagnetic field. All attributes relevant to application in automotive. These systems can be miniaturized using integrated photonics into very compact interrogator systems that have multiple applications for electric vehicles.</p><p>This miniaturization isn’t just a ‘nice to have' but rather essential for the continued innovation of vehicles to occur. As described above the rapid electrification of all forms of transport means also means more ‘stuff’ is needed inside the vehicles. &nbsp;Wiring, sensors, and processors increase contributing to the vehicle’s overall weight and in turn a reduction in its efficiency. Integrated photonics offers a huge reduction in the overall size of systems. Combined with other communication technologies such as wireless and single pair ethernet, vehicles will get lighter and more efficient.</p><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 788px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjE3MDEzMjcyODExLUlNQUdFIDMtMDEuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">The sensor market is rapidly expanding&nbsp;</span></span></span><h2 class="fr-img-space-wrap2">The future of vehicles</h2></div><p>We are at a precipice of change within the automotive industry. Multiple technologies, including integrated photonics, are rapidly coming to maturity that has the potential to radically change the way we understand vehicles. At this moment almost all imagined scenarios could become reality. It will be a complex combination of market demand and adoption, resource management, and imagination that will ultimately decide the outcome.</p><h2>Integrated Photonic Automotive Roadmap</h2><p>Dutch growth Accelerator PhotonDelta has created the Integrated Photonic Automotive Roadmap, which provides a clear overview of the automotive industry’s current trends and market conditions and identifies the key opportunity areas for integrated photonics. The roadmap details which technology developments need to occur to support PIC applications and links this with technology roadmaps. Finally, the roadmap proposes an approach for the industry to ensure new applications are not delayed due to roadblocks caused by industry or manufacturing capabilities. <a href="http://eepurl.com/huN8Fj" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> to receive a notification of the roadmap's official release.&nbsp;</p><h1>Summary</h1><p>Integrated photonics opens a wide range of innovation opportunities in automotive. As the electronic components of cars increase and the move to full electrification continue, PIC offers low-power and low-cost solutions that directly contribute to vehicle efficiency. PIC will follow a similar path of decreasing cost as mass manufacturing expands. Future automotive solutions are likely to heavily rely on the advantages of PIC.</p><hr><h2><em>About the sponsor: PhotonDelta</em></h2><p><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/about%3Ablank" target="_blank"><em>PhotonDelta</em></a><em>&nbsp;is a growth accelerator for the Dutch integrated photonics industry. Its objective is to promote the adoption of integrated photonics and support companies to get prioritized access to the Dutch Integrated Photonics supply chain. Furthermore, PhotonDelta runs a new business creation program that provides companies, ranging from startups to SMEs and big organizations, with access to strategy, market, and funds.</em></p><p><em>Through its wide network within the industry, PhotonDelta has gathered insights on market trends, challenges, and product roadmaps. This information is used to drive business creation, investments, and strategic technology roadmaps. Furthermore, PhotonDelta actively supports start-ups and SMEs to facilitate their involvement with the Dutch integrated photonic supply chain. This includes facilitating options for establishing a solid presence in the Netherlands.</em></p><p><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjE3MTAxMzgwMDU0LXBob3RvbiBkZWx0YSBhcnRpY2xlIGJvdHRvbSBiYW5uZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em><br></p><p><br></p>

Integrated photonics offers promising solutions in a range of automotive applications.

The Road Ahead for Integrated Photonics in Automotive

<section><p><strong>Our access to the internet is made possible by an ensemble of technologies such as photonic integrated circuits (PICs). There is also potential for PIC devices in healthcare or sensing, however their use in these applications is limited by issues with scalability and high-throughput manufacturing. The TU/e-coordinated H2020-funded project INSPIRE seeks to change how PIC devices are fabricated to make them suitable for applications beyond communications and speed up their large-scale production. INSPIRE has received close to 5 million euros in funding and has just been officially launched.</strong></p></section><section tabindex="-1"><p>The technological world is built on a foundation of electronic devices. In recent years though there has been an upsurge in the use of <em>photonic</em> devices, particularly for data transfer applications. These photonic devices are based on materials like silicon, silicon nitride (SiN) and indium phosphide (InP).</p><p>While these devices have the potential for wider impact in other fields like sensors used in aircraft or communication devices, their uptake is limited as different materials need to be effectively combined to meet performance requirements.</p><p>For example, high-performance fiber sensors used in infrastructure monitoring and microwave signal processing in RADAR systems both require low-noise operation and ultra-low degradation of signals. This can only be achieved through a combination of materials in the manufacturing process. If this manufacturing process can be properly scaled to allow for large-scale production, it is expected that these photonic devices can have a major impact on sensing applications.</p><p><br></p><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 788px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1616801247953-csm_Micro_transfer_image_88d0e3eeb3.jpg" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Source: INSPIRE project&nbsp;</span></span></span>&nbsp;</div><section tabindex="-1"><h3><strong>Be Inspired</strong></h3><p>To facilitate the combination of these high-performance, so-called III-V opto-electronic materials in photonic devices, INSPIRE is developing wafer-scale micro-transfer printing technologies, and the project has received H2020 funding to the tune of 5 million euros to achieve its goals.</p><p>In micro-transfer printing, devices are first made on a source wafer, after which they are transferred to a target wafer (see image). This printing concept has been established and widely applied by project partner X-Celeprint to different wafers and materials. The INSPIRE project is focusing on the next step: parallel device printing with accurate placement where many integrated devices can be printed at the same time.</p><p>The INSPIRE micro-transfer printing technology will be validated for three specific cases: fiber sensors to measure stress, strain, and temperature for use in airplane safety measures, a microwave photonic radio-frequency (RF) pulse generator with application in RADAR and wireless communication, and optical switches for energy-efficient data centers. Compact versions of the III-V opto-electronic components will be developed, enabling designers to use this platform for a wide range of applications.</p></section><section tabindex="-1"><h3><style type="text/css"></style><style type="text/css"></style><span data-sheets-formula="=PROPER(R[-1]C[0])" data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":3,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Combining Established Fabrication Technologies"}'>Combining Established Fabrication Technologies</span></h3><p>INSPIRE aims to sustain Europe’s industrial leadership in photonics by consolidating established fabrication approaches, such as those from the pioneering pure-play foundry and TU/e spinoff SMART Photonics and the silicon photonics pioneer imec, with the micro-transfer printing technology of X-Celeprint.</p><p>This will result in a world-first fabrication platform that combines the strengths of two of the most well-known PIC manufacturing platforms. Methods will chiefly be developed for the coupling of SiN and InP processes, but could also be used for silicon-based photonics.</p><p>INSPIRE coordinator prof. Martijn Heck from Eindhoven University of Technology is excited by the possibilities that lie ahead: “By combining SMART and imec technologies, with only minor changes to the fabrication processes, we can leverage the major investments in the development of these platforms from the last decade. We can thus significantly reduce the time needed to transfer our technology out of the lab, and make a faster and telling impact in new application areas.”</p></section><section tabindex="-1"><h3><style type="text/css"></style><style type="text/css"></style><span data-sheets-formula="=PROPER(R[-1]C[0])" data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":3,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Onwards To Application"}'>Onwards To Application</span></h3><p>And the potential of the INSPIRE approach is demonstrated by the participation of industrial partners such as Dr. Jerome Bourderionnet from THALES: “The INSPIRE platform enables high-performance building blocks, such as low-linewidth lasers, which are at the heart of THALES’ applications for optical signal processing at large, or sensing integrated systems.”</p><p>INSPIRE aims to create a full-function PIC platform, compatible with open-access pilot manufacturing, and with an order of magnitude lower cost for volume production.</p><p>INSPIRE’s generic approach makes the technology widely applicable and ensures that European innovators can focus their research and development directly on manufacturing platforms. As a result, it should take a shorter time to bring these PIC technologies to market.</p><p>The INSPIRE project consortium is made up of TU/e, imec, Thales, University of Cambridge, X-Celeprint, SMART Photonics, and Amires. The project officially started on 1<sup>st</sup> January 2021. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement n°101017088, project INSPIRE.</p></section><hr><p><style type="text/css"></style><style type="text/css"></style><span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"This article was first published here"}'>This article was first published here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tue.nl/en/our-university/departments/mathematics-and-computer-science/the-department/news/news-overview/24-03-2021-new-project-set-to-inspire-advances-in-photonic-devices/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tue.nl/en/our-university/departments/mathematics-and-computer-science/the-department/news/news-overview/24-03-2021-new-project-set-to-inspire-advances-in-photonic-devices/</a></span></p></section>

H2020-funded INSPIRE project to lead a revolution in photonic integrated circuits with so-called micro-transfer printing technology and establishment of world-first fabrication platform.

photonic chips

Profiles