08 Jul Fast signal processing with microwave photonics
Modern communication networks rely on both high-speed fiber optic links and wireless high-frequency microwave transmission. Microwave photonics offers a promising solution for processing high-frequency signals optically with lower loss, higher bandwidth and improved energy efficiency. However, most microwave photonics systems are based on less compact, fiber-based architectures that limit scalability. In contrast, the integration of microwave photonics on a chip could enable scalability and high energy efficiency. A fully integrated single-chip microwave photonics system that combines optical and microwave signal processing on a single silicon chip has now been demonstrated by Belgian scientists from Ghent University and the Imec Research and Innovation Center.
Silicon photonics as the basis
The chip is based on Imec’s standard iSiPP50G silicon photonics platform, which includes low-loss waveguides and passive components, high-speed modulators and detectors, and thermo-optic phase shifters. To provide an integrated light source, the researchers integrated an indium phosphide (InP) optical amplifier, developed by III-V Lab, on the chip using microtransfer printing technology developed by the Photonics Research Group (Imec/Ghent University). In combination with tunable filter circuits on the chip, the optical amplifier can function as a widely tunable laser, further increasing the versatility of the system.
The microwave photonics chip contains high-speed modulators and detectors, a programmable optical filter bank and two transfer-printed lasers. Image: Imec
Next-generation signal processing
“The ability to integrate all essential microwave photonics components on a single chip is an important step towards scalable and energy-efficient high-frequency signal processing,” said Wim Bogaerts, professor in the Photonics Research Group at Ghent University and Imec. “By eliminating bulky external components, this technology paves the way for more compact, cost-effective solutions in next-generation wireless networks and advanced sensing systems.”
Original publication:
[Deng, H., Zhang, J., Soltanian, E. et al. Single-chip silicon photonic engine for analog optical and microwave signals processing. Nat Commun 16, 5087 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60100-0]
Source and image: www.imec-int.com