Abstract

Over the past 20 years silicon photonics has made a successful transition from academic research field to industrial ecosystem. Transceiver products thrive in the market. Industrial foundries offer mature process flows and PDKs. EDA-companies offer photonic IC design tools. Nevertheless, in many ways, silicon photonics is still a small niche field in the semiconductor industry. Meanwhile, both the research community and a multitude of start-up companies are preparing the next wave in silicon photonics, with scientific achievements and innovative products in a dozen new applications and markets, some of which may become large volume. The value proposition is clear. But the diversity of applications requires new functionalities and new – more heterogeneous - process flows. Will the business proposition follow and become sustainable?