A*STAR Drives Innovation in Silicon Photonics
Singapore, Monday, 9 June 2025.
A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics is advancing silicon photonics in Singapore, enhancing flexible, energy-efficient devices for faster data processing. This positions Singapore as a leader in photonic technologies across Asia.
Singapore’s Strategic Edge in Photonics
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) has been pivotal in positioning Singapore as a leader in the photonics landscape, particularly through its Institute of Microelectronics (IME). With a focus on silicon photonics, IME targets the development of energy-efficient, high-capacity data processing technologies. This advancement is crucial for meeting industry demands for faster connectivity and enhanced data handling capabilities [1].
Technological Advancements and Industry Impact
A*STAR’s work was prominently featured at the IEEE ECTC 2025 conference, where they presented pioneering research on Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) and Fan-Out Wafer-Level Packaging (FOWLP). These innovations entail significant improvements in the integration and functionality of photonic devices, enabling substantial reductions in insertion loss and power consumption, vital for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) applications [1].
Global Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships
Collaborations with industry giants such as GlobalFoundries highlight A*STAR’s commitment to leading-edge technologies. This partnership focuses on the co-development of advanced packaging technologies, leveraging each other’s strengths to accelerate innovation in the semiconductor sector. The strategic collaborations are designed to boost the production of high-performance, energy-efficient semiconductor solutions [2][3].
Future Prospects in Silicon Photonics
Looking ahead, A*STAR aims to further integrate photonics into everyday technology, enhancing the infrastructure for emerging applications like 5G communications and data-intensive AI systems. This aligns with global trends where silicon photonics plays a critical role in the evolution of telecommunication networks and data centers, underscoring Singapore’s strategic position in this competitive field [1][3].