Grand Challenge
To develop new wireless & optical communications technologies for 100x more efficient interconnects.
With the rapid growth in worldwide data, improvements in the efficiency of the fiber optic digital “superhighways” that transmit that data are essential. The multiple conversions of signals from optical to electrical and back to optical are energy intensive, slow, and scale poorly. Institute researchers are creating technologies that address these hardware-based issues by bringing the advantages of photonics – energy efficiency, low-cost, and high capacity – to every level of digital communication, and are working on related technologies to make electronics more energy efficient.
SUCCESS STORY
Computing at the Speed of Light
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Research Highlights
Hybrid Silicon Photonics Institute researchers have developed high capacity CMOS-compatible optical interconnects that increase the capacity of integrated circuits while reducing the energy it takes to transfer each bit, to improve the speed and efficiency of data transfer off the processor and memory components.
Optical Integration and Networking We are developing photonic integrated chips (PICs) to reduce the size, weight and power of optical interfaces.
Energy Conversion The Institute has developed nitride-based electronics that work at higher voltages with higher efficiency than is possible with conventional silicon technology, leading to smaller, more efficient power electronics and lighter, longer-range electric vehicles.
High Speed Electronics We are developing new transistor designs to increase maximum transistor frequencies to beyond 1 THz.
