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

近来光学功能的小型化导致具有数百个操作的更增强的片上系统（例如，调制、信号处理、检测）。这样的光子集成电路与芯片外的电信号和光信号接口。比常规集成电路技术更多样化但还不标准化（即，互补金属氧化物半导体（CMOS），光子集成电路不遵循商定的封装规则。这种情况是由于世界各地学术界和工业界的迅速发展和非常活跃的发展。由于集成光子波导和圆柱形光纤之间的尺寸差异，光子芯片需要与光纤精确和主动对准。该提案是为了购买一个光学探针站，该探针站自动化光子芯片和光纤之间的对准。目前，这项任务需要手动完成，不仅需要几天时间才能完成，而且缺乏验证基础研究所需的可靠性和鲁棒性。此外，目前的手动对准偶尔会导致探头损坏，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，使得实验验证不能进一步完成，从而在学生培训中造成显著延迟。除了这些当前的延迟，最近新兴的领域，如利用深度学习算法的逆向设计，在没有所需设备的情况下无法进行实验验证，因为它涉及数百个设备的测量。超高速光学处理需要强大的耦合，目前手动对准是不可能的。最后，新兴的量子光学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有可能。申请人拥有庞大的研究生研究团队，目前共培养了46名研究生，其中包括17名博士生，15名硕士生和3名博士后。这些学生通过几个NSERC计划（例如，发现，联盟）和其他资助机构（例如，NRC，FRQNT），并通过与加拿大公司的密切合作。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的培训没有进一步的拖延，与加拿大高技能的光子劳动力所需的知识和技能。该设备还将实现与行业的新合作。最后，自动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，超快光学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.