CMC Microsystems, AMF Partner for Silicon Photonics Platform

Microsystem and nanotechnology systems developer CMC Microsystems and Advanced Micro Foundry (AMF), a Singapore-based manufacturer of silicon photonic integrated circuits, are partnering to develop a new design automation platform for silicon photonics that will allow Canadian university researchers to take the lead in developing innovations in light-based technologies.

“A key value-add of this platform is its physical design kit (PDK), which is one of the most advanced created for photonics R&D,” said Dan Deptuck, staff scientist at CMC Microsystems. “It enables unprecedented first-time-right design of more complex systems more quickly, and its industrial approach speeds up time to market.”

The new CMC-AMF Silicon Photonics Platform allows innovators to design and prototype photonics-based technologies faster and more successfully. It includes a design kit, developed by AMF with partner Luceda Photonics, access to AMF’s fabrication services, and design tools from Luceda and Mentor Graphics Corp.

“Canada continues to make its mark as an innovator in this rapidly expanding technology field, and CMC has been a pioneer in enabling university-based silicon photonics R&D,” says Gord Harling, president and CEO of CMC Microsystems. “To date, we have helped innovators in Canada’s National Design Network prototype more than 500 projects in silicon photonics, and we have trained more than 400 students. Now, thanks to our partnership with AMF, we are able to increase our offerings to researchers, making it easier for them to access technologies and opportunities for advancing their photonics research and development. This translates directly into a technological advantage for a Canadian industry sector that is experiencing strong growth.”

CMC will provide platform users with engineering support, reference guides, and training, and will coordinate manufacturing of designs via its cost-effective multiproject wafer program. CMC is providing the platform to academic researchers and industry across Canada’s National Design Network and also internationally.

“CMC Microsystems has been a valued partner with us since 2012,” said Kavitha Devi Buddharaju, senior manager of business development at AMF. “As a proven service provider and global facilitator of multiproject wafer services in silicon photonics, they are perfectly positioned to help us bring our technology to clients around the world. This partnership will enhance our mutual efforts to help researchers and companies realize the potential of silicon photonics.”

AMF specializes in customizable prototyping and volume wafer manufacturing services for silicon photonic integrated circuits. CMC works with researchers and industry to provide industrial capabilities for the design and manufacture of innovations in microsystems and nanotechnologies.