Researchers at the University of Sydney's 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 precisely control the information flowing through the device. The expanded bandwidth means more information can flow through the chip, while the addition of photonic components enables advanced filtering control, creating a new class of semiconductor devices that are versatile.
Researchers expect that such chips will be used in advanced radar, satellite systems, wireless networks and the promotion of 6G and 7G telecommunications, and open the door to advanced sovereign manufacturing. It could also help establish high-tech, value-added factories in places like the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
The chip is fabricated using an emerging technology in silicon photonics, which enables the integration of various systems on semiconductors less than 5 millimeters wide. Professor Ben Eggleton, Vice-President (Research) who directs the research team, likened it to putting together Lego bricks, using electronic "chips" to integrate new materials together through advanced component packaging. The research results of this invention have been published in Nature Communications.
Dr. Alvaro Casas Bedoya, deputy director of photonic integration in the School of Physics, who led the chip design, said that this unique method of integrating heterogeneous materials has been 10 years in the making.
He said: "The use of overseas semiconductor foundries to manufacture basic chip wafers combined with local research infrastructure and manufacturing will be critical to the development of this photonic integrated circuit. This architecture means Australia can develop its own sovereign chip manufacturing without having to rely entirely on the value-added processes of international foundries."
Professor Eggleton emphasized that most of the projects on the Australian Federal Government's list of key technologies of national interest rely on semiconductors. The invention means Sydney Nano's work coincides with initiatives such as the NSW Government-sponsored Semiconductor Industry Service Bureau (S3B) aimed at developing the local semiconductor ecosystem.
Dr Nadia Court, Director of S3B, said: "This work aligns with our mission to advance semiconductor technology and holds great promise for the future of Australian semiconductor innovation. At a critical time when global attention and investment in the semiconductor industry is increasing, this achievement strengthens Australia's strength in research and design."
The integrated circuit was designed in collaboration with scientists from the Australian National University and manufactured in the Core Research Facility cleanroom of the University of Sydney Nanoscience Hub.
Photonic circuitry in the chip means the device has an impressive 15 gigahertz tunable frequency bandwidth with spectral resolution as low as 37 megahertz, less than a quarter of the total bandwidth.
Professor Eggleton said: "This invention, led by our impressive PhD student Matthew Garrett, is a major advance in microwave photonics and integrated photonics research. Microwave photonic filters are finding their way into modern communications and radar applications. "
Dr. Moritz Merklein, co-author and senior researcher on the study, said: "This work paves the way for a new generation of compact, high-resolution RF photonic filters with broadband frequency tunability, which will be particularly beneficial for air and space RF communications payloads, providing the possibility for enhanced communication and sensing capabilities."
Compiled source: ScitechDaily