VTT and PhoeniX Software announce a process design kit to support silicon photonics developers around the world

Supported by the EU-funded ACTPHAST project, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. and PhoeniX Software have developed an extensive and improved process design kit (PDK) that supports the development of silicon photonics – one of today’s hottest R&D topics. The new PDK includes 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 goal is the production of affordable and precise sensors for a number of health, safety and security applications.

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 customised 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 3-µm thick silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguides that provide a unique combination of extremely dense integration, low losses and polarisation-independent operation. For low-loss coupling to standard single-mode fibres, VTT also develops waveguides and spot-size converters on 12 µm 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. By means of our internally developed superior products and services, we enable the easy and cost-effective realisation of integrated photonics chips and systems. Our customers range from large OEM’s to start-ups and include some of the world’s top universities and research institutes. As the leader in 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.

In support of scientists and product developers around the world, VTT and PhoeniX Software joined forces to develop a comprehensive PDK for the 3 µm SOI platform. This was done through the ACTPHAST project, with the support of the European Union. The new design kit includes documentation and a library of design rules, example components and simulation models for the integrated optics design software developed by PhoeniX Software.