Groups explore Canadian potential to exploit emerging field of silicon photonics

Canada's ability to get ahead of the curve on the development and deployment of silicon photonics may depend upon a collaborative initiative that aims to reach consensus on a roadmap and action plan for the emerging technology. A recent workshop held by CMC Microsystems and the newly established Canadian Photonic Industry Consortium (CPIC) aimed to identify potential niches where the small but vibrant Canadian photonics sector can establish world class leadership and market advantage.

The objective is to establish a think tank of sorts that can craft a viable pathway for technology development that leverages key research, government and industry strengths as well as linkages with expertise globally. The workshop brought together a potent contingent of Canadian researchers, research organizations and companies as well as key players in the US (IBM TJ Watson Research Centre), Europe (Univ of Glasgow) and Asia (A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics, Singapore).

The widespread use of silicon in integrated circuits makes its potential for designing ultra-fast hybrid chips incorporating optical and electronic components the next holy grail for industry, regardless of sector. Silicon photonic devices can be manufactured using existing semiconductor fabrication techniques and are considered critical to meet explosive demand for bandwidth and data transfer, as well as making possible the continuation of Moore's Law.

"Whoever can translate this and take advantage can become an early mover. The opportunities are quite considerable … There's great potential for industrial development," says Dan Gale, CMC''s VP and CTO. "It's early in terms of the global marketplace but we need to look at the trends and get alignment around priorities."

Gale says CMC is anxious to establish priorities quickly so that it can incorporate silicon photonics into its planning cycle and operating plan for the next FY. For its part, CPIC is holding workshops across Canada to promote silicon photonics within high tech and traditional industrial sectors like ship building and automotive as well as exploring specific technology fields. It will also participate with CMC in a roadmapping workshop in early December to discuss the needs of industry, the pathways to meeting those needs and the developing strategies for tackling the missing links in a successful silicon photonics innovation system in Canada.

"I'm confident we can have success but we have to find the best niches," says Robert Corriveau, CPIC's president and executive director. "Silicon photonics needs to get into the microelectronics sector to offer more complete solutions to customers … Industry needs silicon photonics. Demonstrate it to them and they will buy it."

Another major player in developing and leveraging Canadian expertise in silicon photonics is the National Research Council (NRC), which hosted the September workshop and operates the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre in conjunction with CMC. Corriveau says CPFC has the potential to accelerate emerging technologies into the marketplace but is being held back by a vacuum in NRC leadership as the organization continues its restructuring into a research technology organization.

"The NRC is in turmoil and that includes CPFC. With the reorganization there's no longer the Institute for Microstructural Sciences and there's no leader on this (technology) area yet. We're still waiting," says Corriveau, adding that some firms are concerned over the NRC's continued commitment to CPFC. "The CPFC is doing the best it can but right now it's on standby."

Canada is not alone in its pursuit of commercial applications for silicon photonics. The highly competitive global environment means that finding and exploiting niches is critical for future success. In Canada, there's a lack of critical expertise in areas such as packaging and prototyping facilities and partnerships are considered essential to overcome these barriers.

"Silicon photonics is a tightly integrated technology so how do we manufacture both light- and electron-manipulating devices and package them tightly," says Gale. "Where are the new manufacturing technologies going to come from? It's a highly competitive field. By changing manufacturing processes we can arrive at better forms of light detection techniques to improve product lines."

Canada has considerable strength in many research fields related to silicon photonics — particularly engineering expertise at several universities — as well as companies like Quebec City-based TeraXion which already has silicon photonics-based products in the marketplace.

"It's a truly global initiative and Canada is well placed to pursue silicon photonics aggressively. We are definitely pushing above our weight here," says Gale. "But is there sufficient excitement and money to establish a presence in Canada? The know-how is here but it may have more to do with investment and understanding the marketplace."

State of the industry

CPIC was founded this year through the merger of the Canadian Institute for Photonics Innovations (CIPI) — a sunsetting Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) — and the Canadian Photonic Consortium. The network of companies and researchers has 10 inaugural members and is currently funded with membership fees and $250,000 in NCE funding to facilitate its transformation. It expects to achieve self sufficiency by the end of FY13-14.

Prior to its closure on March 31st, CIPI released an updated study of trends in Canada's photonics sector. It found there are approximately 400 active firms with revenues of $6 billion, of which $5 billion is exports. Of those firms, 74% have increased their revenue since 2008 with a median compound annual growth rate of 7%. It's estimated that nearly 3,000 photonics jobs have been added to the sector between 2008 and 2012, with more than 50% doing R&D.

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