Advancing Photonic Integration with the 2D Pilot Line

Earlier this month, the 2D Pilot Line consortium gathered in San Sebastián to discuss progress across the different work packages and the next steps toward bringing 2D materials into multi-project wafer (MPW) runs. The European initiative aims to make materials such as graphene accessible through established design and manufacturing flows. This may also enable new functionalities for future PICs. The meeting was hosted by Graphenea, a graphene foundry based in San Sebastián and Boston. Its laboratories are in San Sebastián's Technology Park on a small hill south of the city. The meeting brought together project partners from leading foundries, research institutions, and technology developers such as imec, VTT, and IHP. Within the scope of the 2DPL project, Akhetonics is developing design tools and photonic design kits (PDKs) for heterogeneously integrated 2D materials. By combining these materials with silicon photonic platforms, we hope to unlock new capabilities for next-generation photonic devices. It was great to see the progress being made across the consortium and to discuss the next steps toward a more capable and accessible European semiconductor ecosystem. And, of course, being in the Basque Country also provided an opportunity to learn some local traditions. One important lesson: when someone shouts "Txotx!" at the pintxo bar, everyone must gather around the cider barrel.

‍