Photodetection with multi-GHz bandwidth in a CMOS integrated circuit

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Optical communication solutions today make use of many discrete components, each individually optimized for maximum performance at high speed and fabricated using exotic technologies. Specifically, the components used to convert high-speed light signals into electrical signals are critical and expensive. Our recent research has demonstrated signal processing that allows for the use of an optical-electrical converter that may be fabricated directly alongside electronic circuitry using the same low-cost manufacturing processes. We have already used the technology to demonstrate a complete optical receiver operating up to 5 Gbps, sufficient to transfer an entire Blu-Ray movie in less than 1 minute. The prototype accepts an optical input and produces a digital logic output all on a single silicon die measuring less than 1 square millimetre and fabricated using a mainstream manufacturing technology. The timing of this breakthrough is serendipitous as it coincides with advances in optical fibre technology that are ushering in a new set of exciting applications for optical communication. This project will see the technology incorporated a parallel transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving over multiple parallel optical fibers simultaneously. This proposal outlines a plan to meet this objective and demonstrate a parallel link in 9 months, making the technology ready for transfer to commercialization partners.