Building technology platforms and foundries for photonic integrated circuits in Europe

Progress and take-up of photonic integration is hampered by a too large variety in devices and technologies. Generic integration platforms, which support a broad range of applications and can be made accessible through foundries, can deliver the cost reduction needed for a broader take-up. Silicon is ideally suited as such a generic integration platform and can support large-scale photonic integrated circuits. The ePIXnet Silicon Photonics Platform was set up to offer access to high-end silicon facilities for research and prototyping and to help establish photonic foundry processes on the longer term, bridging the gap between research and the market.