Towards 2020 – Photonics driving economic growth in Europe

2. Photonics Research and Innovation Challenges
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Roadmap for 2014 – 2020
We present here a roadmap addressing the following key technological challenges:
n Next-generation PIC technologies, especially generic technologies, maximising energy
efficiency, density and functionality
n Innovative concepts for active photonics on silicon (including III-V/Si), embracing high-density,
micron-scale emitters / modulators compatible with CMOS circuitry
n Ultra-high density photonic & photonic/electronic integration technology
n Development and evolution of robust, accurate and efficient simulation and computer aided
design (CAD) tools, including integration of optical circuit design with system-level simulation
n Next-generation assembly technologies facilitating high volume manufacturing of high precision
discrete devices and PICs
n Technologies for electro-optic circuit boards and advanced module concepts,
embracing organic/inorganic integration
n High power lasers, especially in relation to power scalability, beam quality, thermal
management, robustness against environmental conditions
n High speed devices, including
n Technology for data transfer at 1Tbit/s and beyond at chip level, with high linearity to
facilitate analog operation, A-D conversion and digital signal processing
n Energy efficient, scalable photonic switching & interconnect
n Sources for optical sensors and next generation storage systems (heat assisted magnetic recording)
n Materials and structures for new wavelengths and wide tuning range (>100nm);
integrated nonlinear devices to extend wavelength coverage; efficient plasmonic devices;
precise beam delivery
n Concepts for manufacturability for advanced devices (e.g. QCLs, active imaging devices,
sources for HAMR), embracing subsystem integration (e.g. transmitter/receiver)
n New materials for photonics, including advanced semiconductor structures, ceramics,
polymers, nonlinear crystals, metal-dielectric interfaces and multifunctional optical fibres/waveguides.
n New photonic coatings and functional surfaces, including applications of micro/nanostructuring
and surface functionality for bio-applications, along with associated production strategies.
n The critical innovation-oriented challenge is to create infrastructure for open access to research
and pilot manufacturing in critical technology areas, including photonic and electronic/photonic
integrated circuits, packaging and assembly, key semiconductor technologies and advanced
materials research.