VTT and PhoeniX Software develop kit for Si-photonics developers

01 Sep 2016

Process development kit features design rules, component examples and simulation models.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and PhoeniX Software, Netherlands, have together developed what they are calling “an extensive and improved process design kit [PDK] that supports the development of silicon photonics”. In this effort, the partners were supported by the EU-funded ACTPHAST project.

The new PDK encompasses design rules, component examples and simulation models in the form of documents and as a software library for PhoeniX Software solutions.

Silicon photonics is under intensive development around the world in a bid to enable fast optical communication in data centres and other key infrastructures of our digital society. Another objective is the production of affordable and precise sensors for a number of health, safety and security applications.

Software options

VTT, a pioneer in silicon photonics R&D, is now offering its "Thick-SOI" technology to scientists and product developers around the world. In addition to customized R&D and contract manufacturing services, VTT provides cost-sharing R&D via multi-project wafer (MPW) runs from its Micronova clean room facility in Finland.

The MPW runs are based on 3µm thick silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguides that offer a combination of extremely dense integration, low losses and polarization-independent operation. For low-loss coupling to standard single-mode fibres, VTT also develops waveguides and spot-size converters on 12µm SOI wafers.

Having been a pioneer of photonics design automation since 1991, PhoeniX Software now has a global presence and is a trusted and well-known partner to a large number of organisations. The company commented, “By means of our internally developed superior products and services, we enable the easy and cost-effective realisation of integrated photonics chips and systems."

Its announcement added, “Our customers range from large OEMs to start-ups and include some of the world's top universities and research institutes. As a developer of Photonic IC design solutions, we will continue to develop the market by anticipating market demand and customer needs. In combination with our strategic partnerships, this will enable us to offer world-class design flows and access to all fabrication technologies that are relevant to our customers.”

AIM Photonics welcomes PhoeniX Software

SUNY Polytechnic Institute, New York, and AIM Photonics have this week announced PhoeniX Software’s membership of the AIM Photonics group.

Robert Duffy, Chairman of the AIM Photonics Leadership Council, said, “AIM Photonics is building a membership that includes some of the country’s most innovative technology companies that each provide critical elements to the success of the institute. I’d like to personally welcome PhoeniX Software to the AIM team and congratulate SUNY Poly President and CEO Dr. Alain Kaloyeros and AIM CEO Dr. Michael Liehr on their continued success. Together, we are creating a world of new opportunities through this Rochester-based initiative.”