Silicon photonics aiming for terabit-per-second speeds

Back in 2009 Mina-News predicted that photons would be used to build logic gates. While that particular application for photonics has since been abandoned, Leti’s silicon photonics research has continued to expand. Today, researchers are focusing on the very-high-speed communications requirements of datacenters and supercomputers. With photonics components, data transfer speeds could reach up to 400 gigabits—or even a terabit—per second.

Around 50 Leti researchers are working on the topic for partners like STMicroelectronics, HP, III–V Lab, and IRT Nanoelec. They are developing laser sources, photodetectors, waveguides, multiplexers, and switches. Silicon photonics is one of the rare fields where Europe is leading the world in terms of technology. As for potential customers, they are found around the globe!

Contact: laurent.fulbert@cea.fr

Read (or re-read) the 2009 article (in French): goo.gl/syqD5K

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