Review of Silicon Photonics Foundry Efforts

TLDR

Silicon photonics have progressed to a point where commercialization depends on access to manufacturing foundries, and R&D foundries are increasingly pivotal in maturing the technology for mass production. The paper argues that implementing a fabless foundry model with standardized process technology platforms is essential for advancing silicon photonics commercialization. The authors discuss R&D foundry services such as multi‑project wafer shuttles, customized process developmental runs, and small‑volume manufacturing, and present ongoing efforts to establish a commercial silicon photonics foundry line. They report that commercial foundries for low‑cost, high‑volume silicon photonics production are underway, with key results from an ongoing effort to set up a manufacturing foundry line.

Abstract

Silicon photonics have progressed to a point where the next step for commercialization depends on the accessibility of manufacturing foundries. The implementation of a fabless foundry model using standardized process technology platforms is crucial for that to occur. Research and development (R&D) foundries are beginning to play bigger roles in transforming silicon photonics into a mature technology for mass production. R&D foundry services such as multi-project wafer (MPW) shuttles, customized process developmental runs and small volume manufacturing are discussed. The development of commercial foundries for low cost, high volume production is also shown to be underway, and key results from an on-going effort to set-up a manufacturing silicon photonics foundry line are presented.