Phase I low-cost lasers and assembly for high-performance silicon photonic transceivers and sensors

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Silicon photonic integrated circuits (ICs) are used in a number of high value applications, including high speed transceivers that connect servers in data centres, in LiDARs (Light Detection And Ranging), and in industrial and biomedical sensing applications. A high-performance yet low-cost laser, costing a few dollars, is desirable for all silicon photonics products. Our team at The University of British Columbia (UBC) has developed two new laser technologies: i) A laser linewidth-reduction (LWR) technology [1] that can enable a $1 laser to have the same performance as a laser which is 100x more expensive. This technology is attractive for LiDARs and inter-data centre transceivers. ii) A reflection cancellation circuit (RCC) technology [2] to replace bulky magneto-optical isolators used with today's lasers to save 10x in the cost of packaging the laser to the chip.This technology is attractive for almost all of the existing silicon photonics markets. Both technologies also promise entirely new applications and form-factors. Our technical goals for the I2I Phase 1 are to develop a minimum viable product (MVP) that can robustly and repeatedly achieve high performance over a range of temperature variation and months of continuous operation. Primary market research conducted as part of our previously funded NSERC I2I Market Assessment (MA) indicated that these technologies would be highly desirable for companies building lasers, silicon photonic transceivers, and LiDARs. These industries constitute a high-value beachhead market, and nine of the companies interviewed expressed their willingness to beta-test following the successful deployment of our MVP and completion of the milestones outlined in this Phase I project (see attached market study and letters of support).