IPIC, is pleased to announce the participation of two of its early stage researchers in 2 newly started Horizon Europe projects. The Lolipop project with Tyndall lead Dr Padraic Morrissey from the Photonics Packaging group will deal with the integration of Lithium Niobate (LiNB) on Insulator (LNoI) and Silicon Nitride as a hybrid but disruptive platform, to take advantage of the excellent electro-optical properties of LiNb. This disruptive platform will offer the highest integration, modulation and second order nonlinear performance in the entire spectrum from 400 up to 1600 nm, based on the combination of the LNOI and the silicon-nitride technology. As the global market of bulk LN modulators is huge, significant impact can be expected due to the integration of the two complementary material systems.
Dr Morrissey commented “Our main role is in the design and optimization of micro transfer printing for the transfer of LNOI films onto a TriPlex platform, which will enable a dramatic miniaturization of the device footprint”
The Lolipop project is coordinated by the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems in Greece and runs from September 2022 to February 2026.
The Phormic project, with leads Dr Padraic Morrissey from the Photonics Packaging group and Dr Cleitus Antony from the Photonic Systems Group, will establish a European platform for next-generation programmable photonic chips with a low adoption threshold for product developers in diverse application domains. e.g. in data center communication, sensing and mm-wave wireless beamforming.
Dr Antony stated, “Control electronics is an essential part of the architecture to realise a multipurpose photonic processor. We will develop the electronic interface and digital control circuits to tune hundreds of programmable photonic elements on a single chip.”
The project is coordinated by IMEC in Belgium and runs from October 2022 to March 2026. The proposed multipurpose programmable photonic processors will accelerate photonic prototyping, will be cost-effective for low-volume products, and will provide a low-barrier entry point for photonics innovators, including SMEs. The platform will provide opportunities for the integration of on-chip tuneable lasers with large spectral coverage, increased functionality of photonic circuits, due to lower power consumption and therefore enable the adoption and innovation of research-oriented photonic chips. This acceleration of development could have a significant impact on the use of photonics across European industry, including reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions thanks to e.g. fibre-optic links and environmental and industrial sensors. Both groups have received over 1M€ in total funding to fulfil their roles in these projects.
Martin O’Connell, Head of EU Programmes in IPIC, welcomed the award stating “The participation of both Drs Morrissey and Antony is testament to our efforts in developing the next generation of future research leaders and is thus aligned with our Tyndall 2025 strategy”
