January 17, 2025 5 minutes reading time

Partner story | PhotonFirst at Semicon09

PhotonFirst: Driving the Future of Integrated Photonics in Semicon 09

PhotonFirst has emerged as a leading innovator in fiber optic sensing technology. The company develops and produces advanced measurement systems with integrated photonic chips at the heart of their instruments. These systems, known for their robustness, compact size, and scalability, cater to a wide array of demanding markets. As an active partner in high-tech initiatives like NXTGEN Hightech, PhotonFirst is helping shape the future of integrated photonics, with a focus on automation, manufacturability, and next-generation product development. 

Project background:
NXTGEN Inlite (Inspiring Novel Light-Integrated Technology & Equipment)

In this project, efforts are focused on developing production equipment for integrated photonics to enable mass production of these components and devices. The project concentrates on standardizing both front-end and back-end production processes for manufacturing wafers with Photonic Integrated Circuits. The goal is to develop machines for various product families that utilize standard substrates such as SiN and InP. These developments are crucial for assembling the components, integrating various coupling methods. Additionally, the project seeks to advance new process developments in techniques such as PLD and CVD.

Role in Semicon09

PhotonFirst’s role in the Semicon 09 project is centered on providing crucial input on design for manufacturability. The company contributes from the product perspective, working closely with partners to define requirements that guide the automation processes and equipment developments needed for the future of integrated photonics products. By focusing on the design and scalability of their photonic systems, PhotonFirst ensures that the solutions developed through Semicon 09 are well-positioned for mass adoption in the market.

Completed activities

PhotonFirst has already made significant progress in the Semicon 09 project, achieving several key milestones that have laid the groundwork for future activities. These completed activities include: 

  • Alignment on the general integration and design approach for future products 

  • Defining the product requirements and specifications necessary for automation processes 

  • Collaborating with partners on defining design for manufacturability 

  • Preparing product and chip designs to accommodate upcoming automated processes 

  • Benchmarking the product integration goals to the baseline architecture which is based on discrete PIC components. 

Future plans

Looking ahead, PhotonFirst has outlined a clear set of activities that will further advance the project’s goals and ensure the continued development of scalable photonics solutions. The planned activities include: 

  • Refining and updating product and chip designs in preparation for large-scale automated manufacturing 

  • Continued collaboration with partners to develop solutions aimed at improving throughput speed and automation efficiency 

  • Expanding the scalability and performance of integrated photonic products to meet future market demands 

  • Ongoing alignment with industry roadmaps to ensure consistency in automation and integration practices 

MicroAlign's expertise

PhotonFirst is recognized as a pioneer in the development of Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC)-based sensing solutions. Their expertise lies in creating state-of-the-art systems that meet the most demanding specifications, delivering solutions that are both scalable and highly competitive. The company’s deep knowledge of integrated photonics enables it to offer critical insights into design and manufacturing processes, making them an ideal partner for high-tech projects like Semicon 09. 

Their unique ability to blend product development with process innovation allows PhotonFirst to provide valuable end-user perspectives that help drive the realization of scalable, integrated photonics products. By sharing their expertise with project partners, PhotonFirst ensures that the broader ecosystem is prepared to adopt and mainstream photonics technologies in the near future. 

Conclusion

PhotonFirst's involvement in Semicon 09 underscores the company’s commitment to advancing integrated photonics technology. Through a combination of completed and planned activities, PhotonFirst continues to play a crucial role in shaping the automation and scalability of photonic systems. With their pioneering expertise in PIC-based sensing solutions, PhotonFirst is well-positioned to lead the transition to a future where integrated photonics becomes a mainstream technology in a wide range of industries.

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