Smallest Integrated Networks for Highest Data Density

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The exponential increase in data continues to force important societal changes across the world. From scientific simulations to consumer electronics, data processing has entertained us, but more importantly saved lives and influenced economical growth. However, many parts of the world have weak infrastructures, or are unable to afford the high cost of modern computing systems. Indeed, to meet the high demand for data processing and storage, complex systems with thousands of processors are working in parallel interconnected through electrical switches, inherently limiting their long term scalability in terms of performance. With recent advancements in photonic integration, the electrical interconnectivity can be replaced with optical technologies. The proposed program addresses the system integration of photonics towards high data density. The expected research outcome will lead to practical scalability with performance enhancement in modern computer systems. Furthermore, price deflation which comes with the increase in performance makes these modern computing systems more accessible to all parts of the world, including remote areas of the Canadian landscape where energy is not easily available to process large amount of data required such as in the mining industry or in supporting the northern communities.