Revolutionary “LEGO-Like” Photonic Chip Paves Way for Semiconductor Breakthroughs

Scientists have innovated a compact semiconductor chip integrating electronics with photonics, drastically enhancing RF bandwidth and control. This breakthrough, pivotal for advanced telecommunications and radar systems, marks a significant step in semiconductor technology, boosting Australia’s potential in semiconductor research and manufacturing (Artist’s concept). Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Integrating photons into electronic chips enhances bandwidth and improves filter control.

Researchers at the University of Sydney Nano Institute have developed a small silicon semiconductor chip that combines electronic and photonic (light-based) elements. This innovation greatly enhances radio-frequency (RF) bandwidth and the ability to accurately control information flowing through the unit.

Expanded bandwidth means more information can flow through the chip and the inclusion of photonics allows for advanced filter controls, creating a versatile new semiconductor device.

Researchers expect the chip will have applications in advanced radar, satellite systems, wireless networks, and the roll-out of 6G and 7G telecommunications and also open the door to advanced sovereign manufacturing. It could also assist in the creation of high-tech value-add factories at places like Western Sydney’s Aerotropolis precinct.

Dr Alvaro Casas Bedoya in the Sydney Nanoscience Hub at the University of Sydney holding a silicon wafer used to manufacture semiconductors. Credit: Stefanie Zingsheim/The University of Sydney

Innovative Design and Construction

The chip is built using an emerging technology in silicon photonics that allows the integration of diverse systems on <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="

semiconductors

Semiconductors are a type of material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor (such as copper) and an insulator (such as rubber). Semiconductors are used in a wide range of electronic devices, including transistors, diodes, solar cells, and integrated circuits. The electrical conductivity of a semiconductor can be controlled by adding impurities to the material through a process called doping. Silicon is the most widely used material for semiconductor devices, but other materials such as gallium arsenide and indium phosphide are also used in certain applications.

” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]” tabindex=”0″ role=”link”>semiconductors less than 5 millimeters wide. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Ben Eggleton, who guides the research team, likened it to fitting together Lego building blocks, where new materials are integrated through advanced packaging of components, using electronic ‘chiplets’.

The research for this invention has been published in <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="

Nature Communications

<em>Nature Communications</em> is a peer-reviewed, open-access, multidisciplinary, scientific journal published by Nature Portfolio. It covers the natural sciences, including physics, biology, chemistry, medicine, and earth sciences. It began publishing in 2010 and has editorial offices in London, Berlin, New York City, and Shanghai. 

” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]” tabindex=”0″ role=”link”>Nature Communications.

Dr Alvaro Casas Bedoya, Associate Director for Photonic Integration in the School of Physics, who led the chip design, said the unique method of heterogeneous materials integration has been 10 years in the making.

“The combined use of overseas semiconductor foundries to make the basic chip wafer with local research infrastructure and manufacturing has been vital in developing this photonic integrated circuit,” he said. “This architecture means Australia could develop its own sovereign chip manufacturing without exclusively relying on international foundries for the value-add process.”

Dr Alvaro Casas Bedoya (holding the chip) and Professor Ben Eggleton in the Sydney Nanoscience Hub at the University of Sydney Nano Institute. Credit: Stefanie Zingsheim/The University of Sydney

Professor Eggleton highlighted the fact that most of the items on the Federal Government’s List of Critical Technologies in the National Interest depend upon semiconductors.

Strategic Importance and Local Impact

He said the invention means the work at Sydney Nano fits well with initiatives like the Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau (S3B), sponsored by the NSW Government, which aims to develop the local semiconductor ecosystem.

Dr Nadia Court, Director of S3B, said, “This work aligns with our mission to drive advancements in semiconductor technology, holding great promise for the future of semiconductor innovation in Australia. The result reinforces local strength in research and design at a pivotal time of increased global focus and investment in the sector.”

Designed in collaboration with scientists at the <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="

Australian National University

Founded in 1946, the Australian National University (ANU) is a national research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies and institutes.

” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]” tabindex=”0″ role=”link”>Australian National University, the integrated circuit was built at the Core Research Facility cleanroom at the <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="

University of Sydney

The University of Sydney is a public research university located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. The University of Sydney has a strong focus on research and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across a variety of disciplines, including arts, business, engineering, law, medicine, and science.

” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]” tabindex=”0″ role=”link”>University of Sydney Nanoscience Hub, a purpose-built $150 million building with advanced lithography and deposition facilities.

Technological Breakthrough and Future Potential

The photonic circuit in the chip means a device with an impressive 15 gigahertz bandwidth of tunable frequencies with spectral resolution down to just 37 megahertz, which is less than a quarter of one percent of the total bandwidth.

Professor Eggleton said: “Led by our impressive PhD student Matthew Garrett, this invention is a significant advance for microwave photonics and integrated photonics research. Microwave photonic filters play a crucial role in modern communication and radar applications, offering the flexibility to precisely filter different frequencies, reducing electromagnetic interference,

and enhancing signal quality. Our innovative approach of integrating advanced functionalities into semiconductor chips, particularly the heterogenous integration of chalcogenide glass with silicon, holds the potential to reshape the local semiconductor landscape.”

Co-author and Senior Research Fellow Dr Moritz Merklein said: “This work paves the way for a new generation of compact, high-resolution RF photonic filters with wideband frequency tunability, particularly beneficial in air and spaceborne RF communication payloads, opening possibilities for enhanced communications and sensing capabilities.”

Reference: “Integrated microwave photonic notch filter using a heterogeneously integrated Brillouin and active-silicon photonic circuit” by Matthew Garrett, Yang Liu, Moritz Merklein, Cong Tinh Bui, Choon Kong Lai, Duk-Yong Choi, Stephen J. Madden, Alvaro Casas-Bedoya and Benjamin J. Eggleton, 20 November 2023, Nature Communications.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43404-x

The study was funded by the Australian Research Council.