There is a rapidly growing momentum for Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs). After having held great promise for a good while, PICs have now been breaking through in applications such as 100G and beyond for long-haul telecom as well as for short-reach datacom. And because of that breakthrough, PICs are now proving attractive for other applications as well, such as optical switching in the datacenter, interrogators in fiber-sensing, and key components in next-gen FTTH.

However, the question how to get started in PICs is not necessarily trivial. Starting your own in-house effort including a waferfab plus packaging is unaffordable for most of the players. And even if you want to leverage the growing ecosystem of providers in software, foundries, and packaging, then the question is still which parts to do yourself, which parts to outsource and how to find the best tools and to familiarize yourself with them.

The purpose of this week-long in-depth training is to get you quickly up the learning curve by introducing you to all of the aspects that are critical for producing integrated optical components. The training covers system level essentials, a detailed tutorial on integrated optic components, in-depth simulations as well as mask layout, available foundry services for all material systems, packaging services, test & measurement and relevant business fundamentals such as building a business case or scaling to production.

The PIC training provides the ideal orientation for managers or engineers in companies that want to start in photonic integration or who feel that PICs are becoming increasingly important. The training is also very useful for any new employees or graduate students who are active in photonic integration and who need a better understanding of PIC technology, tools, as well as the full value chain. And the PIC training is valuable for anyone who needs to make a decision about which design software to acquire or which material system or foundry to use.

Space is limited so there is a maximum to the number of trainees that can be accepted. Advance registration is required and there is a registration fee. The fee covers the week long training, copies of training materials, lunches and other in class refreshments, and installation of software as well as licenses required for that week. Trainees are responsible for booking hotel accommodation and for bringing in their laptops which can then be used for the PIC design and layout. In case of interest, laptops can be made available for on-site rental. Software licenses that cover a longer time for trial and evaluation can be made available on request as well.

For any questions about the training or logistics, please contact Isobel Hoevers at isobel@7pennies.com or (917) 833-3589.

Testimonials

Please see below for a number of reactions on the first training event that was held at Columbia University in Oct 2015:

“Overall, it was a great selection of speakers. I appreciate the comprehensive topic coverage.”

“Organization of event was excellent liked distribution of all contact info and multiple updates up to the start of the training.”

“This was done well. Better then most workshops I have attended…”

“Excellent location, venue, catering etc.!”

“I liked the software tutorials and the talks about the current state of the art and future trends of PIC’s.”

“Networking very good. I talked to a lot of experts in the field.”

“All excellent speakers, all of them knew their content well, and were very approachable…” “Excellent organization… I can’t think of anything that could be improved…”

“Excellent networking, excellent people, excellent chances to network during the breaks. A lot of thanks … for organizing all the dinners in the evening – which allowed more deeper networking opportunities.”

“I liked the program very much. Covered all the essential steps in a PIC packaging cycle…”

The week-long program is such that it provides a quick but in-depth training on everything that you need for producing photonic integrated circuits. The program covers system aspects, a component tutorial, simulations and chip layout, foundry services for all material systems, packaging, test & measurement, and business/marketing essentials.

The schematic below shows the preliminary training program for the Nov. 14-18 week. Please click on the schedule for a magnified version. The schedule below will be updated as soon as additional detail becomes available.

Please click on the days below to get a detailed description of the program for that day.

For any questions about the training or logistics, please contact Isobel Hoevers at isobel@7pennies.com or (917) 833-3589.

The training is supported by a wide group of service providers to the PIC industry. It includes foundries for pretty much all the relevant material systems, providers of simulation and layout software, packaging houses, as well as providers of turn-key PIC design solutions. Please see below for the list of companies that support the PIC training.

Europractice was launched by the European Commission in October 1995 to help companies improve their competitive position in world markets by adopting ASIC, Multi-Chip Module (MCM) or Microsystems solutions in the products they manufacture. The program helps to reduce the perceived risks and costs associated with these technologies by offering potential users a range of services, including initial advice and ongoing support, reduced entry costs and a clear route to chip manufacture and product supply.

Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. We leverage our scientific knowledge with the innovative power of our global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. We deliver industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, our international top-talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable environment.

CEA (Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives) is a French Governmental Research Organization (15,000 employees). Within the “CEA-TECH” branch devoted to industrial Research & Development, CEA-LETI is one of the major European research centers in applied electronics, optics and sensing. It is located in Grenoble-France where it operates 11,000 m²-State-of-the-Art CMOS clean rooms (200 and 300 mm wafer size), and a MEMS microsystems platform (200 mm wafer size). Nearly 1,600 men and women are serving innovation and the transfer of technology in key domains. Besides, CEA-LETI has sparked the creation of thirty high-technology start-ups, including Soitec, world leader in the development/ production of Silicon on insulator wafers.

As a pioneer in Research & Development in Silicon Photonics (since 2002), CEA-LETI has developed strong expertise and know how in the design, fabrication and test of integrated devices (including Ge-on-Silicon photodetectors and hybrid III/V-on-Silicon lasers) and circuits for telecom and datacom applications. ST microelectronics is one of its main industrial partner in the field.

IHP has a team of 300 R&D professionals with core competence in micro-electronics: process technology, circuit design, and systems. As a member institute of the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Society, the core funding comes from the German Federal Government and the State Government of Brandenburg. IHP is an established international foundry and development partner for companies and academic partners in the area of silicon photonics, or, more specifically photonic-electronic integration. For several years we have been developing monolithic photonic electronic integration technology based on high-performance BiCMOS technology featuring ~200GHz transistors. All silicon photonics technologies and prototypes are developed and fabricated in our cleanroom facility housing a 200mm BiCMOS toolset including DUV lithography. In the frame of ePIXfab and EUROPRACTICE photonic integrated circuit technologies are being offered in multi-project wafer runs. IHP’s photonic BiCMOS technology is a strategic asset for IHP’s integrated approach from technology to systems to provide a portfolio of enabling photonic sub-system and system solutions.clear route to chip manufacture and product supply.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd engages in applied technology research, transforming its research results into practical solutions. VTT Ltd uses its research and knowledge to provide expert services for its domestic and international customers and partners in both the private and public sector. VTT Ltd is Finland’s biggest applied research organisation and the Nordic countries’ leading research and technology company. As one of the first pioneers in the field, VTT has developed it’s silicon photonics technology since 1997. Its micron-scale SOI technology has been offered through MPW runs (ePIXfab) since 2014. Now the 3 µm SOI platform is expanding from passive and thermo-optic circuits to high-speed active components in close collaboration with industrial customers and partners. 
(www.vtt.fi/siliconphotonics)

LioniX is a leading provider in development and small to high volume production of leveraging and innovative products based on micro/nano system technology (MNT) and MEMS. Our core technologies are integrated optics and micro-fluidics. Our customers operate in telecom, industrial process control, life sciences and space markets and include OEM’s, multinationals, VC start-up companies as well as research institutions from around the world. LioniX offers design to manufacturing and horizontal integration by partnering with MEMS/MST foundries and suppliers of complementary technologies, such as in (food) biotech/genomics, chemistry/pharmaceuticals and water technology. The combination of micro-fluidics and their integrated optics technology (TriPleX™) gives LioniX an unrivalled expertise in the emerging area of Lab-on-a-Chip. (www.lionixbv.nl)

JePPIX is a broker that helps organizations around the globe to get access to advanced fabrication processes for Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs). JePPIX aims at low-cost development of application specific PICs using a generic foundry model and rapid prototyping via industrial Multi-Project Wafer runs. The generic approach allows a variety of PICs to be realized using the same standardized processes. JePPIX closely collaborates with Europe’s key players in the field of photonic integration, including manufacturing and packaging partners, photonic CAD software partners, R&D labs and photonic IC design houses. With JePPIX you can get access to the Indium Phosphide (InP)-based monolithic integration platforms of Oclaro, Fraunhofer HHI and SMART Photonics and the low-loss dielectric TriPleX waveguide technology of LioniX. JePPIX is hosted by the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. For more information visit our website: (www.jeppix.eu).

SMART Photonics, located in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is a Pure Play Foundry offering III-V production services for both discrete- as well as integrated- Indium Phosphide based photonic components. We use our knowledge, experience and the dedicated equipment to create and produce the photonic designs of our customers. We offer the complete production process from Epitaxial growth, processing, re-growth and polishing of wafers up to dicing and coating of the sides of the chips. Next to the production support, in either the proof of concept (POC) phase or the full production phase, we also offer single- or combined- process steps to complete, or back-up, the production processes of our customers. (www.smartphotonics.nl)

Fraunhofer HHI The core competencies of Fraunhofer HHI are in the areas of Photonic Networks and Systems, Mobile Broadband Systems, Photonic Components and Electronic Imaging. Within the Fraunhofer mission “to undertake applied research of direct utility to private and public enterprise and of wide benefit to society”, we offer research, development and production services in all our activities to the German and international industry. The activities of the Photonic Components Dept. are focused on the following – mainly InP based- optical components for tele- and datacom, and optical sensing applications. Components such as: Photonic Integrated Circuits, Integrated hybrid InP and Polymer PLC components, THz Components, Discrete devices, DOE and related devices, InP MOVPE; e-beam lithography; process development; & Qualification support. (www.hhi.fraunhofer.de)

The American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics), is an industry driven public-private partnership that focuses the nation’s premiere capabilities and expertise to capture critical global manufacturing leadership in a technology that is both essential to National security and positioned to provide a compelling return-on-investment to the U.S. economy. The Institute’s goal is to emulate the dramatic successes experienced by the electronics industry over the past 40 years and transition key lessons, processes, and approaches to the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) industry. AIM Photonics supports Small and Medium Enterprises, providing practical access and technology on-ramps for U.S. industry, government, and academic communities. We are creating a National PIC manufacturing infrastructure, widely accessible and inherently flexible to meet the challenges of the marketplace with practical, innovative solutions. (www.aimphotonics.com)

Pioneering photonics design automation already since 1991, today PhoeniX Software has a global presence and is a trusted and well recognized partner for a large number of organizations. We enable easy and cost-effective realization of integrated photonics chips and systems, by means of our internally developed superior products and services. Our customers range from large OEM’s to start-ups and include some of the world’s top universities and research institutes. As the leader in Photonic IC design solutions, we will continue to develop the market by anticipating market demand and customer needs. In combination with our strategic partnerships, this results in offering world class design flows and access to all relevant fabrication technologies for our customers. (http://www.phoenixbv.com)

Lumerical – Since its inception in 2003, Lumerical has pioneered breakthrough simulation technologies that help bring new product concepts to life. Lumerical’s software tools support a broad range of photonic and electromagnetic design and analysis applications. From component level analysis using optical and electrical solvers to photonic integrated circuit and system design and simulation, Lumerical’s products are capable of addressing the most challenging design problems. Lumerical’s photonic design tools are licensed in nearly 50 countries, by more than 800 of the world’s most innovative organizations including 7 of the top 10 companies in the S&P 1200 Global IT Index and 44 of the top 50 research universities according to the Times Higher Education rankings. (www.lumerical.com)

Cadence Design Systems enables global electronic design innovation and plays an essential role in the creation of today’s integrated circuits and electronics. Cadence collaborates with Lumerical Solutions and PhoeniX Software to offer an integrated electronic/photonic design automation (EPDA) environment for photonic ICs (PICs). Built around the Cadence® Virtuoso® custom design platform, the EPDA environment enables schematic or layout-driven design flows for photonic and electronic circuits, photonic component parameter extraction and model generation, photonic circuit simulation and photonic mask layout implementation for both monolithic and hybrid 3D-IC photonic circuits. For further information, visit our website.

VPIphotonics sets the industry standard for end-to-end photonic design automation comprising design, analysis and optimization of components, systems and networks. We provide professional simulation software supporting requirements of integrated photonics, optoelectronics and fiber optics applications, optical transmission system and network applications, as well as cost-optimized equipment configuration. Our team of experts delivers professional consulting services addressing customer-specific modeling and design requirements. VPIphotonics’ award-winning off-the-shelf and customized solutions are used extensively at hundreds of corporations worldwide; over 160 academic institutions joined our University Program. For further information, please visit us at www.VPIphotonics.com.

Chiral Photonics (CPI), a New Jersey, US based company founded in 1999, specializes in optoelectronic packaging of integrated photonics.  CPI offers its pitch reducing optical fiber arrays, PROFAs, which enable the highest density optical I/Os for both edge and face coupling to photonic ICs. Currently, up to 61 I/O channels can be coupled in a single port.  Other services range from single-die optical coupling or optoelectronic package development, including test services, to volume optoelectronic production packaging.Please contact us to obtain our free coupling and packaging design guidelines: designguide@chiralphotonics.com.

As electronics become smaller and more capable, they become more complex. Necessary innovation must be met with ever-advancing technical capability. Tektronix designs and manufactures the test, measurement and monitoring solutions that break through the walls of complexity, to accelerate global innovation. Tektronix solutions have supported many of humankind’s greatest advances of the past 65 years. Health. Communication. Mobility. Space. We are committed to the scientists, engineers and technicians around the world who will define the future, and rely on us to embrace the technological challenge, as partners in their innovation (www.tek.com)

Yenista is a manufacturer of laboratory type fiber optic test instrumentation, not limited to, but primarily used in telecom type applications. Applications range from PIC design, research and development to manufacturing and production. Yenista’s product portfolio consists of high dynamic range tunable laser sources, automated wavelength dependent passive optical component testers, optical spectrum analyzers, tunable filters, and multipurpose modular test platform OSICS with modules ranging from tunable laser sources to switches, attenuators, DFB sources and more. 
(https://yenista.com)

VLC Photonics aims to be a complete but flexible partner in photonic integration, thanks to its deep expertise in the whole integration process, from the preliminary feasibility studies, to fabrication platform selection, optical chip design, foundry and packager brokerage, and chip characterization and test. VLC Photonics has been working for more than 14 years in the field, with experience in all major international fabs (+15) in all main material substrates (silicon photonics, InP, GaAs, PLC, SiN, TriPleX, etc.). Our know-how includes multiple passive and active components like AWGs, MMIs, Echelle gratings, modulators, lasers, switches, filters, etc. Our field of expertise is mostly in optical telecommunications, datacom and optical interconnects, microwave photonics, quantum optics, and sensing systems like fiber sensor interrogators or biophotonics lab-on-a-chip. Check our website for more info and references, and an on-line pricing tool for multi-project wafer runs! (http://vlcphotonics.com)

Bright Photonics B.V. is a design house for photonic integrated circuits (PICs), also referred to as systems on chip (SoC). Our mission is to make PICs accessible to (small) businesses, research institutes and universities in technologies as SoI, InP, Triplex, glass and polymers. Bright Photonics operates as an intermediate company between foundry services and product developers. We are the commercial design partner in the two largest active European projects in the field of integrated photonics. Our strategy is to be your gateway to photonic ICs from application idea to PIC, at the level where you need it: feasibility, layout, access to multi-project wafer runs and/or packaged prototypes. In addition to design services, Bright Photonics can support you with fab-ready design libraries for photonic components such as AWG multiplexers. These are also adaptable to your custom process and needs. Contact Bright Photonics and find out what PICs can do for your product or research. 
(http://www.brightphotonics.eu/)

EPIC is the industry association that promotes the sustainable development of organisations working in the field of photonics in Europe. We foster a vibrant photonics ecosystem by maintaining a strong network and acting as a catalyst and facilitator for technological and commercial advancement. EPIC publishes market and technology reports, organizes technical workshops and B2B roundtables, coordinates EU funding proposals, advocacy and lobbying, education and training activities, standards and roadmaps, pavilions at exhibitions. (www.epic-assoc.com)

OSA Industry Development Associates (OIDA) serves and represents the optics and photonics community of more than 250 corporate members. Members include the leading providers of optics and photonics components and systems and leading universities and research institutions. OIDA provides roadmap reports and market data for the industry, serves as the voice of the industry to government and academia, acts as a liaison with other trade associations worldwide and provides a network for the exchange of ideas and information within the optics and photonics community. To learn more about a corporate membership with OIDA, visit: OIDA Membership.

DATE

The date for the PIC training is the week of Monday Nov 14 through Friday Nov 18. This week was picked after checking in detail with interested trainees as well as the supporting companies for their availability/preferences. The program will start on Monday Nov 14 at 9am and will finish on Friday Nov 18 at 3pm so people can leave early and get a flight home on Friday evening.

VENUE

The training is held at Tektronix, Santa Clara, California in US-SCLA Training Room 229. Santa Clara is right in the center of Silicon Valley where many of the important high tech companies in the world are located. For example, Intel, Google, Infinera, Cadence, Cisco, Apple, eBay, Yahoo, and many others are all headquartered in Silicon Valley. In addition, Silicon Valley hosts many companies that are active in photonic integration. The venue address is:

• Tektronix
• US-SCLA-Training Room 229 (2^nd Floor)
• 4250 Burton Drive
• Santa Clara CA 95054

Santa Clara is well reachable via either San Jose (SJC) 12min or San Francisco (SFO) 45 min airports. For Google directions to Tektronix please click on the map below..

For any questions about the training or logistics, please contact Isobel Hoevers at isobel@7pennies.com or (917) 833-3589.

Silicon Valley attracts a lot of business travelers and for this reason offers a large amount of good hotel accommodations. Given that the training starts early on Monday, we recommend that you arrive on (or before) Sunday evening. And on Friday, the training ends at 3pm PDT so as to allow participants to travel back home on Friday evening.

For a good overview of pricing, ratings, and locations of hotels around Tektronix, please use this Expedia link.

For a short list of nearby hotels with good ratings and reasonable prices (in the say $100 to $150 per night range), please check out the following:

• Clarion Inn Silicon Valley 3200 Monterey Road, San Jose CA 95111 408 972 2200. 18 minutes by car. www.clarioninnsiliconvalley.com
• Driftwood 3477 El Camino Real, Santa Clara CA 95051 408 984 3364. 3 minutes by car. www.driftwoodsiliconvalley.com
• Quality Inn & Suites Silicon Valley 2930 El Camino Real, Santa Clara CA 95051 855-239-9223. 8 minutes by car. www.qualityinnsantaclara.com
• Town House Motel San Jose 475 S 2nd St, San Jose CA 95113 800-491-6126. 14 minutes by car. townhousemotelsanjose.com

Please see below here the list of material and presentations that were used for the PIC training:

• 7 Pennies – PIC business case
• 7Pennies – PIC component tutorial
• AIM – Photonics MPW.
• Bright Photonics – Product development.
• Cadence – EPDA framework – Workshop Manual
• CEA LETI – Silicon Photonics MPW
• Chiral Photonics – Packaging Overview
• Finisar – Guest speaker
• Fraunhofer HHI- InP Photonics MPW
• IHP – Silicon Photonics MPW
• IMEC – Silicon Photonics MPW
• IMEC Europractise – IntroductioN to MPW Foundries.
• Intel – Guest speaker
• JePPIX – Foundry overview
• LioniX – TriPleX Photonics MPW.
• Lumerical &PhoeniX Tools for PIC design
• Luxtera – Guest speaker
• Mellanox – Opening address
• PhoeniX – Summary and future developments.
• PIC component tutorial – Passives
• Smart Photonics – InP Photonics MPW
• TektroniX – Test & Measurement
• VLC Photonics – In-Out sourcing
• VPI – System IntroductioN
• VPI – System Modeling of Large-Scale Active & Passive PICs
• VPI_System-Level Design Analysis and Optimization of PICs
• VTT – Packaging Overview
• VTT – Silicon Photonics MPW
• Yenista – Test & Measurement

If you are interested in some of the presentations, please let us know by completing the section below and we can gladly help you. Please note, however, that the full package (all material) is only available for the partipants of the PIC training.

Please note that the above contact info will be used for making certain that we can indeed send you the requested information. In addition, we plan on using this in order to inform you about new events that we are organizing on photonic integration. For more info, on the 7 Pennies Privacy and Data Protection Policy please click here.