Automatic optical probe station for next-generation photonic die experimental validation

最近光学功能的小型化导致了更多增强的系统芯片，具有数百种操作（例如，调制，信号处理，检测）。这种光子集成电路与片外电信号和光信号接口。与传统集成电路技术（即互补金属氧化物半导体，CMOS）相比，光子集成电路更多样化，但非标准化，不遵循商定的封装规则。这种情况是由于学术界和工业界在世界范围内的迅速发展和非常积极的发展。由于集成光子波导与圆柱光纤的尺寸差异，光子芯片需要对光纤进行精确的主动对准。该提案是为了购买一个光学探针站，自动对准光子芯片和光纤之间。目前手工完成，这项任务不仅需要几天才能完成，而且缺乏验证基础研究所需的可靠性和鲁棒性。此外，目前的手动校准有时会导致探针损坏，从而导致延迟和额外的成本。有时，对模具的损坏是永久性的，因此实验验证不能进一步完成，对学生培训造成重大延误。除了目前的延迟之外，最近新兴的领域，如利用深度学习算法的逆向设计，如果没有所需的设备，就无法进行实验验证，因为它涉及到数百个设备的测量。超高速光学处理需要强大的耦合，目前不可能通过手动校准。最后，量子光学的新兴研究领域需要超低损耗的光耦合，只有通过自动对准扫描光纤的最佳位置才能实现。申请人拥有庞大的研究生研究团队，目前共培养46人，其中博士研究生17人，硕士研究生15人，博士后3人。这些学生通过NSERC的几个项目（如Discovery， Alliance）和其他资助机构（如NRC， FRQNT）以及与加拿大公司的密切合作获得资助。资助的研究项目涉及光子集成电路的设计和验证。因此，自动探测站的收购将确保hqp的培训不会进一步延迟，具有加拿大在光子学方面高技能劳动力所需的知识和技能。该设备还将实现与该行业的新合作。最后，一个自动化的光学探针站打开了新的研究活动的大门，在量子光学、光学计算、超快光子学和光子集成电路设计方法的研究领域取得了预期的成果，研究成果使加拿大工业受益。

The recent miniaturization of optical functions leads to more enhanced system-on-chips with hundreds of operations (e.g., modulation, signal processing, detection). Such photonic integrated circuits interface with off-chip electrical and optical signals. More diversified and yet non-standardized than conventional integrated circuits technology (i.e., complementary metal oxide semiconductor, CMOS), photonic integrated circuits do not follow an agreed upon packaging rule. This situation is due to a rapidly evolving and very active development throughout the world both in academia and industry. Challenged by the size difference between the integrated photonic waveguide and the cylindrical optical fiber, the photonic chip requires precise and active alignment to the optical fiber. The proposal is for the purchase of an optical probe station that automates the alignment between the photonic chip and the optical fibers. Currently done manually, this task not only takes several days to achieve, it lacks the reliability and robustness necessary to validate fundamental research. Furthermore, the current manual alignment occasionally leads to probe damage causing delays and additional cost. Sometimes, the damage to the die is permanent such that the experimental validation cannot be completed further imposing significant delay in the student training. Beyond those current delays, recent emerging fields such as inverse design exploiting deep learning algorithms cannot be experimentally validated without the requested equipment as it involves the measurement of hundreds of devices. Ultrafast speed optical processing requires robust coupling, currently not possible with manual alignment. Finally, the emerging research field of quantum optics requires ultra-low-loss optical coupling, only possible with an automatic alignment that scans for the optimum position of the fiber. The applicants have large research teams of graduate students currently training a total of 46 individuals which include 17 PhD students, 15 MSc students, and three postdoctoral students. These students are funded through several NSERC programs (e.g., Discovery, Alliance) and other funding agencies (e.g., NRC, FRQNT), and through close collaboration with Canadian companies. Funded research projects involve the design and validation of photonic integrated circuits. As such, the acquisition of the automatic probe station will ensure the training of HQPs without further delays, with the knowledge and skills required by the Canadian highly skilled workforce in photonics. The equipment will also enable new collaborations with the industry. Finally, an automated optical probe station opens the door to new research activities with anticipated outcomes in the research field of quantum optics, optical computing, ultrafast optical photonics, and photonic integrated circuit design methodologies with research outcomes benefiting the Canadian industry.