ePIXnet

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ePIXnet

• William Whelan-Curtin
• University of St Andrews

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Agenda / content

• Introduction
• Platforms
• Collaboration

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What is ePIXnet and why

• Photonic integration
• High investment and exploitation costs.
• Barrier to Research
• Foundry vision for Integrated Photonics
• Ends in Feb09
• Platforms the lasting legacy

Integration of research on

• Technologies for photonic VLSI
• Photonic Signal Processing
• Integrated Light Sources
• Advanced Materials
• Nanophotonics

Figures

• 2004-2009
• 33 partners
• 31 affiliate partners
• 300 researchers
• budget 6 M

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Why do you need a foundry?
Idea
Theory/Modelling
Design
Fabrication
Build Facilities
5M
ePIXnet Fabricaton
lt3months! lt5-10k!
Develop Expertise
2-3years?
Characterisation
Publications
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JEPPIX

• InP-based active/passive integration process
• PIC design and training
• PIC Fabrication
• www.Jeppix.eu

• Shared Wafer runs
• Waveguides, SOAs, MMIs, and AWGs
• Towards Industrial InP foundry

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ePIXfab/Photofab

• Wafer scale processing in CMOS lines
• 200mm pilot lines (24/7)
• 193nm and 248nm DUV
• www.ePIXfab.eu

• Cost Sharing Shuttle Runs
• Diced wafers distributed

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NanoStructuring

• Nanostructuring based on Electron Beam
  Lithography
• Versatile, quick, powerful
• GaAs, InP, Silicon

• Photonic crystals/wires, lasers
• Design submitted
• Characterisation ready device returned
• www.NanoPhotonics.eu

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Triplex

• Multi-project runs of Silicon nitride/silicon
  oxide PICs
• Based on LioniX technology
• Can operate from Visible to Infrared
• Low loss waveguides
• www.lionicsbv.nl

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ePIXPack

• Flip-chip and assembly
• Fiber pig-tailing
• Packaging
• www.ePIXpack.eu

• Works closely with fabrication platforms
• Devices suitable for advanced characterisation

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High Speed Characterization

• www.Persyst.fr
• 10, 40 and 160 Gbit/s

• Pump probe measurements
• FROG/FREAG measurements

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Cluster Computing
www.ePIXnet.org/cluster

• Photonics modelling software
• MEEP
• CAMFR

• 4 Clusters
• gt 240 CPUs

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Collaboration

• Need to achieve and maintain critical mass of
  users
• Give access to world class facilities and
  processes
• Pay-per-job
• Generate grant income (for both parties)
• High profile results/publications
• User owned IP
• All welcome!

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Collaboration Example

• Expertise in design, modelling, characterisation
• Example Dispersion compensating Photonic Crystal
• Idea
• Modelling
• Fabrication
• Characterisation
• Publications, patents
• Larger scale production
• Packaging
• ...

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Case Study

• NanoPIX
• CUDOS collaboration (Australia)

• Initially a number of sample runs for free
• Leading to a International Science Linkages grant
  (Australian Government)
• Funding for both parties

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Conclusion

• ePIXnet support
• Idea
• Working device
• Demonstration
• Publications/exploitation

Improved position for Europe, and now, Russia
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Summary

• Contact details
• William Whelan-Curtin
• Coordinator NanoPIX
• Emailjww1_at_st-andrews.ac.uk