Introducing the AIM Photonics Photonics In Focus podcast. Our first episode features Dr. John Bowers, the Director of the Institute for Energy Efficiency and a Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Materials at UCSB, and a pioneer in integrated photonics who helped shape AIM Photonics since its inception. Dr. Bowers shares insights into the evolution of AIM Photonics since its inception in 2015 as a U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Institute. He discusses how AIM Photonics has been instrumental in fostering a robust domestic ecosystem for integrated photonics manufacturing and design. Tune in as we explore the significant technological breakthroughs that have successfully bridged the gap between fundamental research and product development, positioning the U.S. as a leader in the rapidly evolving global photonic integrated circuit (PIC) industry.

With the demand for skilled professionals in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) design, fabrication, and packaging exceeding the current and projected talent supply over the next five to ten years, workforce development has become a critical focus for the U.S. Department of Defense and organizations it supports, like AIM Photonics. With an objective to not only drive the technological advancements that will strengthen the domestic integrated photonics industry, AIM Photonics also focuses on developing and growing the nation’s PIC workforce.

AIM Photonics continues to develop multi-project wafer technology solutions, addressing some of the biggest challenges at the forefront of integrated photonics. AIM Photonics has succeeded in providing an accessible and reliable small-volume option for integrated photonics development at the wafer-scale, including process design kit offerings and an MPW program. Building on this success for small to medium-sized enterprises, AIM Photonics is now offering incremental increases of die per wafer for MPW riders, while ensuring predictable reliability in larger volumes. By offering a volume discount for wafers already being processed, riders can utilize the flexibility and cost differential for better management of chip production for prototyping, testing, and packaging, or research targets.

Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH), a regional consortium of government labs, defense companies, academic institutions, and technology manufacturing organizations in New York State and one of eight hubs composing the U.S. Microelectronics Commons program, is proud to announce that four innovative projects have been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to receive significant federal funding. These projects are set to receive a total of more than $30 million in the technical areas of quantum and commercial leap ahead technologies.

The dedicated work on these advanced projects is already underway, including projects involving AIM Photonics, “Quantum Ultra-broadband Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (QUPICS)” and “Heterogeneous Quantum Networking.”

AIM Photonics' member NLM Photonics announced today that it has been awarded a $1.8 million AFWERX STTR Phase II Contract from the U.S. Air Force. This award funds a 21-month project with AIM Photonics to potentially offer modulator components in AIM Photonics’ process design kits (PDKs) for silicon-organic hybrid devices on the institute’s 300 mm silicon photonics platform. These devices focus on low-power, high-bandwidth electro-optic (EO) modulation for datacom, RF photonics, sensing, and more applications, utilizing silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) EO modulators.

AIM Photonics recently demonstrated a selection of products and systems using photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology developed at the Institute to show DoD leadership at the Pentagon how AIM Photonics provides both the technical expertise and fabrication capabilities of this advanced technology which is needed to help secure the nation’s defense and economic security.

AIM Photonics Executive Director Wade Cook discusses the importance of Rochester’s optics community to AIM Photonics mission to advance integrated photonic circuit manufacturing technology development in the U.S.

AIM Photonics would like to invite those who have interest to submit proposals to be included in the AIM Photonics Government Directed Project: BIOlogical, Integrated, Novel, Silicon Photonics for Efficient Characterization and Testing (BIO INSPECT). Available federal funding: Up to two awards are anticipated under this program (AIM Photonics GDP6) at approximately $1,150,000.00 per award. Additional federal funding may become available in future years; however, it is expected that any future work will build on the results of this effort.

Collaboration with Spark Photonics expands AIM Photonics’ automated design enablement capabilities for integrated photonics prototype development.

U.S. Representative Paul Tonko visited AIM Photonics today during a recent trip to Albany, where he represents New York’s 20th Congressional District. Tonko met with members of AIM Photonics and NY CREATES leadership teams at the Albany NanoTech Complex to discuss the rapidly growing silicon photonics industry and the advanced manufacturing ecosystem required to support the domestic production of this emerging technology.

Join us as experts from AIM Photonics will share a selection of the Institute’s recent technology advancements in silicon photonics at the SPIE Photonics West conference. Visit us at Booth 241 to see how AIM Photonics can help advance your company’s innovative ideas into manufacturing-ready prototypes.

AIM Photonics is pleased to announce the appointment of Nathan Lin as our new Director of Outreach. In his new capacity, Nathan will play a pivotal role in delivering AIM Photonics’ innovative solutions to companies and academic/research organizations throughout the U.S.