Amplified silicon photonics

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The integration of optical functionality on silicon is proving to be as important in global technology development as the invention of the integrated circuit. So-called "Silicon Photonics" (SiP) adds a new dimension to the application of the most researched element in history. At its most fundamental level SiP replaces electronic with optical quanta to realize remarkable performance gains in bandwidth, cost and scalability. The potential of SiP appears unbounded and will revolutionize data transfer at all distances. In order to instigate a major advance in link budget management of SiP enabled optical networks we propose research on efficient, low-cost and scalable integration of optical amplification moving beyond "loss-less" Silicon Photonics (SiP). This is a research program that yields results to be applied in deployable products in the near-term (1-3 years, sub-carrier utilization); the mid-term (3-5years, monolithic Rare-Earth amplification) and far-term (~10 years, Rare-Earth amplification for new communication windows). This is achieved by coordinated research which starts by exploiting hybrid amplifier-SiP systems integrating individual components, and moves towards a monolithic amplification scheme which exploits our knowledge of on-chip, Rare-Earth technology. Our aim is to produce external optical amplification of ~15-20dB within SiP systems at wavelengths in the O, C and L bands; plus around 1960nm, a wavelength which centres on a potential future communication window and is currently under intense research following the development of low-loss fibers, optical sources and SiP receiver technology. Successful execution of this project will result in disruptive and transformative Silicon Photonics technology that will significantly impact the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector of Canadian industry.