ASIP launches new process and first product
ASIP, which has received financial backing from Redpoint Ventures and optical network components manufacturer Multilink, fabricates monolithic photonic ICs using what it calls asymmetric twin-guide (ATG) technology to integrate optical functions such as lasers, optical amplifiers, waveguides, modulators and detectors onto a single InP-based epitaxial wafer.
Each of the device types required for a particular function is grown and optimized in a single epitaxial growth sequence. The final structure is etched into the epiwafer. During the etch process, tapered waveguides, or optical vias, are formed to transfer the optical signal between the laser and modulator structures in different layers of the epiwafer. The process uses standard etching techniques and removes the need for the epitaxial regrowth steps that are often used for the production of such integrated optical devices and that adversely impact yield.
The key feature of the technology is its ability to scale, says the company. ASIP has been commercializing the technology, originally developed at Princeton University, since July, 2000. ASIP has full licenses on the ATG process, which it claims significantly lowers overall manufacturing costs of such components.
ASIP s 20,000 sq. ft. building in Somerset houses its R&D, epitaxial growth and reliability test labs for InP photonic chip manufacturing and high-end optical and microwave packaging design and manufacturing. According to marketing manager, Yassi Mohaddam, ASIP is also working with external epiwafer suppliers. The company may move to a fabless approach in future depending on product volumes.
ASIP’s first product, the 10T101 EML, will target long wavelength datacom and telecommunication applications, supporting data rates up to 10.75 Gbit/s and link distances up to 10 km. Future versions of the EML will extend transmission distances to 80 km. Sample quantities of the first device, are available now in chip-on-submount form, with volume production expected in the first quarter of 2003. The submount can accommodate an integrated monitor photodiode, thermistor and bias tee.
According to CTO and co-founder, Milind Gokhale, the EML delivers two advantages, simplicity and unparalleled eye quality at high operating temperatures. "Eye quality translates directly to design margin," said Gokhale. "ASIP s eye margins are typically in the range of 25% or more, compared with directly modulated lasers that struggle to achieve single-digits. Also, directly modulated lasers typically require a complex driver design that is challenging to optimize and maintain over all operating conditions. The 10T101 greatly simplifies this design challenge."
