Capabilities: Silicon Photonics: Revolutionising Optics and Electronics
Silicon photonics (SiPh) is a platform for constructing photonic integrated circuits (PICs) designed for optical communication, high-speed data transfer, and photonic sensing devices. This technology utilises silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers and standard semiconductor manufacturing processes to create components on a photonic layer from silicon. These silicon photonics chips enable light to carry information with significant advantages over electrons, leading to more efficient data transmission.
What is Silicon Photonics?
Silicon photonics represents the integration of photonic components directly onto a silicon photonics chip, leveraging silicon as a foundational material for high-speed optical communication. This technology combines elements such as waveguides, modulators, and photodetectors, all of which are crafted with precision on a silicon platform.
Unlike traditional electronic devices that use electrons to transmit data, silicon photonics utilises light, enabling significantly faster and more energy-efficient data transfer. This approach addresses the increasing demand for bandwidth in data centres and telecommunication networks. By harnessing light, silicon photonics devices are paving the way for next-generation computing, enhancing the performance and functionality of various electronic systems.