Zero-change manufacturing of photonic interconnects for silicon electronics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Abstract
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People |
ORCID iD |
| Jon Heffernan (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Alimi Y
(2024)
Micro-transfer printing of InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode on Si substrate
in Semiconductor Science and Technology
| Description | This award has led to an advanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities for the 'printing' of lasers and detectors onto electronic chips. This type of technology is extremely important for the next generation. of electronic chips, including those for advanced AI hardware. The use of lasers to transport information around chips instead of electronics can vastly improve the speed and energy consumption for such chips and will be an increasingly important part of the electronic industry in the future. |
| Exploitation Route | There is an ongoing development of techniques for heterogeneous integration of semiconductors, including the integration of Photonics and Electronics and this work will contribute to the identification of strategic opportunities for the semiconductor industry in the UK in the coming years. There is ongoing work to combine the capabilities developed in this work with new initiatives in the UK such as the funding of the National Epitaxy Facility, the funding of the Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) in silicon photonics and initiatives such as the National Quantum Technology Hubs. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics Energy Environment Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | Knowledge on the use of transfer printing in inter chip devices has been used to inform the National Semiconductor Strategy, in particular though contributions to the IFM consultation study which includes the role of hetergeneuosu integration in the strategy. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Consultation with Department of Digital Culture Media and Sports and latterly Department of Science Innovation and Technology on the Semiconductor Strategy and the ongoing consultations on the Industrial Strategy |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66599c1f0c8f88e868d3343c/national_semiconductor_strat... |
| Title | Epitaxy of advanced lasers |
| Description | To facilitate the use of transfer print methods for verticla cavity lasers in this project, we have made progress on the development of the epitaxy of advanced laser structures indluing the use of VCSELs on sacrifical layers and the use of novel distributed bragg reflectors to manage strain in very thick structures. This has been developed on a new MOVPE reactor installed in the national epitacy facility in Sheffield in 2022. The capability will eventually be made available to all UK researchers through the National Epitaxy Facility |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | To early to state |
| URL | https://www.nationalepitaxyfacility.co.uk/iii-v-technologies/facilities/metal-organic-chemical-vapou... |
| Title | Membrane fabrication methods for Vertical Cavity Semiconductor Lasers VCSELs) |
| Description | To facilitate the use of transfer print methods in this project, we have made progress on the development of separable membranes containing VCSEL devices. These devices will form a major part of this grant, but more generically the ability to transfer print operating VCSELs will be broadly applicable to other application areas. The capability will eventually be made available to all UK researchers through the National Epitaxy Facility |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Too early in grant at this time, but further opportunities are being investigated. |
| Description | Strathclyde-Sheffield collaboration on Transfer Print of lasers |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Ongoing development of transfer print processes through Photonics Hub spoke funding has led to a new EPSRC grant on Photonic Interconnects on CMOS between Sheffield and Strathclyde. Further collaboration with Starghclcyde on transfer printing of a variety of devices including detectors, VCSELs, has been ongoing and new capabilities have been established through grants |
| Collaborator Contribution | Strathclyde have provided the advanced transfer print processes for transferring lasers onto new substrates as well as design concepts Sheffield has contributed the development of bespoke epitaxy for transfer print membranes and the development of processes for the fabrication of membranes as a result of collaborative grants. |
| Impact | New EPSRC grant funded in 2021: EP/V005022/1 EP/V004859/1 In addition the results of this collaboration were used to prepare a proposal for inclusion of a commercial era ever print tool in the National Epitaxy Facility (NEF) at Sheffield, which was subsequently installed in 2023. The tool is now being used to support the large number of NEF users on research for heterogeneous integration of semiconductors. This direction is a major focus of the UK Government's National Semiconductor strategy. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Contribution to Royal Academy of Engineering report on Infrastructure needs for the National Quantum Technology Programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | A report by the Royal Academy of Engineering on Infrastructure needs for the National Quantum Technology Programme. This was review of ongoing needs and investment opportunities that contributed to Phase III of the National Quantum technology Programme particularly in relation to industrial scale-up and commercial exploitations of quantum technology R&D. Consultation involved 1-2-1 interviews and attendance at a number of RAEng workshops. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024 |
| URL | https://raeng.org.uk/media/rrqjm2v3/quantum-infrastructure-review.pdf |
| Description | Creating an Innovation Pipeline for Compound Semiconductors in the UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Under the auspices of the National Epitaxy Facility and supported by the Photonics Manufacturing Hub, a one day workshop on the infrastructure available to support innovation in compound semiconductors int he UK was held in February 2022. The meeting was online and attracted over 180 delegates from both academia, industry, government and research councils. Outputs of the meeting are being actively fed into government consultations and will be followed up in summer 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.nationalepitaxyfacility.co.uk/news-events/ |
| Description | Formation of an All-party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Semiconductors |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In 2024 a new APPG on semiconecutors was formed to create a body that can inform and advise MPs on the importance of the semiconductor industry in the Uk and the opportunities available for UK researchers and industry in this huge industry. The group is comprised of MPs and advisory board consisting of academics and industry representatives. Jon Heffernan is a member of the advisory board. Several key events have been held by the APPG including an important reception in Parliament in Feb 2025. The output of the group is reported to the broad semiconductor community int he UK and has a broad reach including to the media. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.appgsemcon.co.uk |
| Description | Photonics21 working group meeting on Quantum Integrated Photonics Circuits (QPICs) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Professor Heffernan attended a meeting of the Photonics21 working group of the European Commission to discuss the current status and future potential for QPICs. The meeting was primarily held to review the European position in this growing field and to further the development and inclusion of this area in the future EU R&D funding plans. The meeting was attended by representatives of the EU commission and a large number of academic and industrial researchers from across Europe, with strong representation from the UK. Professor Heffernan attended and contributed to discussions, particularly on heterogenous integration strategies including transfer print processes being developed under Heteroprint. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |