IMEC to Launch Research Program on High-Bandwidth Optical Input and Output

IMEC, a research institute based in Belgium, announced the launch of an industrial affiliation program (IIAP) on optical input/output (I/O). The objective of IIAP is to explore the utilization of optical solutions to develop high-bandwidth I/O between CMOS chips.

The research program will incorporate a two-step path-finding effort. The first step will model an optical-to-electrical transmission route for numerous technological implementations. The transmission path is benchmarked for the needs of various applications. The second step will allow demonstrators of the optical link to realize it in silicon. All the optical components such as the optical multiplexers, germanium-based photodetectors, and optical modulators will be developed using silicon.

IMEC stated that IIAP aims at developing an enhanced silicon-photonics solution to address the latest scaling difficulties in interconnecting CMOS chips. The program is part of IMEC’s core program in which the institute collaborates with IC firms on advanced CMOS technologies.