EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
- Silicon photonics R&D enablement expands in India (MeitY/IIT Madras): MeitY launched an indigenously developed Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit (PDK) and a Universal Programmable Photonic IC (PPIC) Test Engine at IIT Madras, with the PDK providing 50+ verified components for photonic chip design and the test engine enabling automated characterization for photonic/optoelectronic modules. The centre also announced a next-phase plan to start Silicon Photonics MPW fabrication runs from Q3 of the current financial year, including testing, packaging, and module characterization, and MeitY/ISM signaled further support under ISM 2.0 (R&D vertical) and potential establishment of a Silicon Photonics Fab with integrated packaging after commercial capability demonstration.
DETAILED NOTES:
Silicon photonics R&D enablement expands in India (MeitY/IIT Madras)
- What happened:
- MeitY launched two indigenously developed solutions at IIT Madras: a Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit (PDK) (with 50+ verified components) and a Universal Programmable PPIC Test Engine for automated characterization of photonic/optoelectronic modules.
- The centre outlined a next-phase development starting Q3 of the current financial year to enable Silicon Photonics MPW fabrication runs, alongside testing, packaging, and module characterization.
- MeitY/ISM indicated continued technology support under ISM 2.0 (R&D vertical) and a pathway toward a Silicon Photonics Fab with integrated packaging after commercial capabilities are demonstrated (with partners including SilTerra Malaysia for foundry and izmo Microsystems for packaging).
- Why it matters (if obvious from text):
- This moves India from design enablement and testing toward fabrication and packaging capability, strengthening domestic silicon photonics R&D and product development pipelines.