Industries We Serve
Quantum computing
Photonic quantum computers will solve computational problems a thousand times faster than current supercomputers, by employing the quantum effects that photons can exhibit under specific conditions. Such computers rely on a photonic integrated circuit as core computation unit, which is connected to several optical fibers with expectations of up to 100+ fibers by 2030. The performance of such a quantum computing system is critically compromised by the optical path losses, and saving even 1 % in the fiber-to-chip connection is very important. MicroAlign enables efficient transmission of photons between fibers and the quantum computing optical chip, in order to significantly increase the quantum computation efficiency
In quantum computing, how has MicroAlignment become increasingly important?
Quantum computers rely on a photonic integrated circuit as a core computation unit, which is connected to several optical fibers with expectations of up to 100+ fibers by 2030. The performance of such a quantum computing system is critically compromised by optical path losses, and saving even 1 % of energy in the fiber-to-chip connection is very important.
MicroAlign enables efficient transmission of photons between fibers and the quantum computing optical chip, in order to significantly increase the quantum computation efficiency.
Communication
The possibility of connecting fiber arrays to photonic chips can enable faster data communication. High energy-efficient fiber connection is essential and challenging, especially when the number of fibers needs to scale up due to the increasing data traffic demand.
Optical transceivers, switches, splitters and AWGs are extensively used in DATACOM and TELECOM networks. The MicroAlign technology has potential to support the manufacturing process of such devices by either improving the fiber alignment accuracy, and by replacing manual alignment operations with an automated solution. The capability of per-fiber based alignment will be a game changer in co-packaged optics as well, where tens of optical fibers are expected to be connected to several photonic chips incapsulated in the same package.
About MicroAlign solution
MicroAlign is developing a revolutionary alignment solution to optimally connect multiple optical fibers and photonics integrated chips.
The problem
Optimal coupling between optical fiber arrays and photonic chips is limited by the core positioning imperfections in fiber arrays.
The solution
The MicroAlign micro actuator provides per-fiber alignment capabilities and can suppress residual misalignment losses due to fiber eccentricity.
The application
The MicroAlign actuation technology, together with the developed control electronics and software, will enable fast and accurate fiber array alignment, in wafer testing and photonic assembly equipment.