India Advances Silicon Photonics With Indigenous Technology Launch
India has marked a significant step towards technological self-reliance with the launch of indigenously developed silicon photonics solutions. These include a Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit and a Universal Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit Test Engine, both developed at IIT Madras. The initiative represents a major milestone in strengthening the country’s capabilities in advanced semiconductor and photonics technologies.
The launch was led by Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, in the presence of senior officials and academic leaders. This development is expected to serve as a shared national facility for the Indian photonics research and development community, thereby accelerating innovation across sectors.
Enabling Advanced Photonic Chip Design And Testing
The Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit introduces a library of over 50 verified components. This resource provides essential tools for designing photonic integrated circuits within India. It supports a wide range of stakeholders, including industries, startups, academic institutions, and defence research organisations. As a result, it strengthens domestic capabilities in developing next-generation photonic chips.
In parallel, the Universal Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit Test Engine offers a sophisticated automated platform for characterising photonic and optoelectronic modules. This system enables precise testing across various applications, ensuring reliability and performance in real-world conditions. Consequently, it enhances the overall ecosystem for photonics innovation in the country.
Strengthening India’s Semiconductor And Photonics Ecosystem
The launch also marks the beginning of the next phase of development under the Centre of Excellence for Silicon Photonics. Officials highlighted that India’s progress in silicon photonics is now aligned with global standards. However, they emphasised the need to establish a dedicated silicon photonics fabrication facility under the India Semiconductor Mission to further strengthen capabilities.
Shri Amitesh Sinha noted that the technology has applications across both classical and quantum domains. He added that future initiatives under the next phase of the semiconductor mission could support further development and commercialisation. Additionally, a dedicated fabrication facility with integrated packaging capabilities may be established following successful demonstrations.
Expanding Research, Manufacturing, And Industry Collaboration
The Centre of Excellence operates under a Product Research, Development and Manufacturing model. It leverages CMOS-compatible silicon photonics technology to bridge research and industrial applications. The centre collaborates with global and domestic partners for fabrication and packaging, ensuring a comprehensive approach to innovation.
From the third quarter of the current financial year, the centre will enable multi-project wafer fabrication runs. It will also provide integrated testing, packaging, and module characterisation services. This approach is expected to accelerate the transition from research to scalable production, while supporting India’s broader ambitions in semiconductor self-sufficiency.
With inputs from PIB