Ulsan Innovators Drive Silicon Photonics Forward
Ulsan, Saturday, 29 March 2025.
Researchers in Ulsan lead advancements by integrating optical and electronic circuits on silicon, paving the way for next-generation light-based integrated circuits.
Next-Generation Light-Based Computing
The integration of optical and electronic circuits on silicon substrates represents a transformative approach to semiconductor technology. This advancement, known as silicon photonics, enables data transmission using light instead of traditional electrical signals [1]. Major industry players including TSMC and Samsung Electronics are investing heavily in research and development for this technology, recognizing its potential to revolutionize the semiconductor industry [2].
Speed and Efficiency Advantages
Silicon photonics technology offers remarkable advantages in data transmission speed and power efficiency. Light signals travel at approximately 300,000 km/s in a vacuum, while electrical signals typically move at only 55-95% of this speed due to collisions with atoms within conductors [2]. Additionally, the technology significantly reduces heat generation during data transmission, addressing a critical challenge in current semiconductor operations [2][3].
Commercial Implementation Timeline
Industry leaders are actively pursuing commercialization of this technology. TSMC has announced plans to begin mass production of Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) technology by late 2024 or early 2025, while Samsung Electronics is targeting 2027 for their CPO production [2]. The focus on fluxless processing in silicon photonics CPO development aims to enhance semiconductor reliability by eliminating flux residue concerns [2].
Global Investment and Competition
The United States government is strengthening its position in this field by establishing an Advanced Semiconductor Packaging and Photonics Center [3]. This initiative aims to accelerate the development of 3D semiconductor technology, heterogeneous integration packaging, and independent optical semiconductor capabilities [3]. The global race for silicon photonics supremacy highlights its crucial role in shaping the future of AI and high-performance computing [2][3].