The European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC; www.epic-assoc.com) announced the PICs4All (Photonic Integrated Circuits Accessible to Everyone) project (see http://pics4all.jeppix.eu/), a coordination and support action from the EU Horizon 2020 (H2020) Information Communication Technologies (ICT) program whose purpose is to bring companies closer to Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) technology. Among other goals, the program assists developers with gaining access to advanced fabrication facilities for PICs.
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EPIC says the PIC development value chain can become a jungle of complexities since one needs to choose from a variety of modeling/design and layout software, technology platforms, packaging solutions, and also keep in mind PIC testing requirements.
PICs4All aims at low-cost development of ASPICs (application-specific PICs) using the generic foundry model, and rapid prototyping via industrial Multi-Project Wafer runs. To this end, PICs4All brings together the PIC-value chain of Europe's key players in the field of photonic integration, including manufacturing and packaging partners, photonic CAD software partners, R&D labs and Photonic IC design houses.
EPIC adds that PICs4All has set up a European Network of experts in photonics comprised of nine Application Support Centers (ASCs) distributed around Europe whose main task is to stimulate the development of novel applications based on Photonic ICs for various application fields, enhance cooperation between universities, clusters, industry, and research centers, and most importantly, enable access to the PIC technology.
The PICs4All ASCs offer advice on the technical and economic viability of your PIC idea, support in conceptualization, design and testing of Photonic ICs and guidance in access to manufacturing and packaging services through different platform technologies, covering the whole PIC development value chain.
For further details, contact Carlos Lee, director general of EPIC at [email protected].
SOURCE: EPIC; https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2955260/2955260-6166194582720692225