The Institute of Microelectronics (IME), a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), plans to commercialize key innovations in silicon chips designed to support high-speed, high-bandwidth optical communications. The chips were developed as part of IME’s silicon photonics research platform. Further enhancements to the chips were enabled through collaboration with Alcatel-Lucent Bell Laboratories, an optical communications innovator in Murray Hill, N.J. Working with a global semiconductor foundry, Globalfoundries of Milpitas, Calif., IME and the Paris-based Alcatel-Lucent plan to bring innovative silicon component designs from the research stage to commercial fabrication readiness within the next few years. The scalable silicon building blocks will be made accessible to photonics developers. Benefits of the technology include increased data rate and processing power at a reduced cost to the industry, according to the team. The collaboration leverages Bell Labs’ design and research expertise with the development expertise of IME to create a library of silicon photonic devices with the requisite process control monitors and process design kits. Next-generation high-speed optical modulators, germanium photodetectors, waveguides and other common photonic circuits found in networking equipment will be offered as a result. “This milestone reflects the rapidly growing commercial significance of silicon photonics,” said Dim-Lee Kwong, executive director of IME. “I’m delighted that IME and Globalfoundries are working with Bell Labs to accelerate the development of the exciting silicon photonics technology, which holds such promise for use in communication systems,” said Alice White, chief scientist, Alcatel-Lucent Bell Labs. “Through innovative design kits and advanced materials fabrication techniques, the Globalfoundries–IME team intends to expand the photonics design and manufacturing portfolio to our existing and future customers, who are looking for reliable high-volume manufacturing service,” said Raj Kumar, senior vice president for Globalfoundries’ 200mm Business Unit and general manager for Singapore operations. For more information, visit: www.ime.a-star.edu.sg