Integrated photonics, advanced wafer fabrication and specialist manufacturing services are helping accelerate efficient optical technologies for high-speed, low-power applications worldwide for global communications applications today.
Integrated photonics is gaining momentum across the optoelectronics sector, with imec advancing integrated photonic technologies and photonic integrated circuit (PIC) wafer fabrication services while August Electronics provides manufacturing support for emerging designs. The developments highlight how optical integration, specialised fabrication and production are becoming increasingly important as demand grows for faster, efficient communications and computing.
Optoelectronics combines electronic devices with technologies that generate, detect or control light, supporting applications across communications, sensing, aerospace and demanding fields. Integrated photonics can place optical functions on chips, reducing power requirements while supporting higher data rates.
At facilities in Leuven and Ghent, imec develops integrated photonics technologies and supports customers through design, fabrication, packaging and testing. Its services include a process design kit and access to a library of devices, enabling customers to develop photonic integrated circuits before moving towards production.
Wafer fabrication is central to this work. The technology supports low-power operation by optimising intellectual-property blocks, reducing optical losses and limiting the electrical power required by active devices. Development focuses on electro-optical bandwidths of 65GHz and beyond 100GHz, supporting data rates of up to 200Gbps per lane and targeting 400Gbps per lane for future applications.
The technology also reflects a shift towards advanced materials and device structures. Receiver development continues to use germanium-on-silicon, while newer modulator designs are moving from silicon to lithium-niobate structures integrated on silicon-based platforms. These approaches could help meet growing bandwidth requirements while improving efficiency.
Manufacturing partners are important in turning photonic and electronic designs into dependable products. August Electronics offers supply-chain, procurement, PCB assembly, cable and wire-harness assembly, testing, repair and aftermarket support for customers across several high-reliability industries.
Together, these capabilities demonstrate how innovation is extending beyond chip design. Integrated technologies, specialised fabrication and resilient manufacturing are creating a pathway from photonic research to scalable systems.
