Towards zero-fail silicon nitride components for multi-reticle wafer-scale integration and packaging

Multi-reticle wafer-scale silicon photonics (SiPh) integration become popular due to the capability of building very-large-scale photonic integrated circuit (PIC) for wafer-level optical Interconnects and packaging, large aperture beam steering, large-scale programmable photonic mesh and so on.  At the same time, silicon nitride (SiN) is regarded a better option for multi-reticle wafer-scale integration and packaging due to the lower optical loss, higher deposition rate and better integration compatibility. Normally, SiN faces process-uniformity issues in deposition, polishing, patterning and packaging process on a 300-mm large wafer. Passive components, like filters, couplers, multiplexers, are sensitive to the wafer-level process variability, may cause failures and lose money. Co-design of wafer processing and device robustness towards zero-fail SiN components can improve the feasibility of the future multi-reticle wafer-scale PIC. 

imec are working on the research and development of state-of-the-art SiPh technology, low loss SiN platform, and multi-reticle advanced patterning at imec 300-mm SiPh platforms. In this context, the objective of the Ph.D. program is to research and develop highly-reliable passive components, process optimizations to meet the needs of the future wafer-level optical I/O, LiDAR, all-optical switches, and quantum photonics applications. 

 
What you will do 

1. You will thrive and build strong knowledge base not only on fundamentals in device physics, photonic modeling, layout automation, code-based collaboration, but silicon photonics integration, heterogeneous integration process, advanced packaging, wafer inspection and metrology. 

2. You will work on literature surveys to obtain innovative ideas, research hotspot, emerging applications, and development requirements and specifications.  

3. You will focus on simulation validation, performance assessment, proof-of-concept experiments. 

4. You will focus on extensive characterization and data analysis of fabricated wafers. 

Expectation of workload 

Literature study (10%), Design, simulation, optimization (50%), layout (10%), characterization and analysis (30%) 

 
What we do for you 

1. We offer you the opportunity to work alongside the world's leading research center in nanotechnology at our state-of-the-art facility in Leuven, Belgium at the same time getting guidance from renowned University’s professor.  

2. You will be an integral part of a professional device team, guided by experienced professionals. 

3. We, along with you, create a welcoming and inclusive workplace that values diversity, promotes an open and flexible communication culture, harness technological advancements, and shapes the future of society. 

 
Who you are. 

1. You hold a master’s degree in the following fields: photonics, applied physics, electrical engineering, optical engineering, or similar degree. 

2. Self-motivated, inquisitive, and the ability to work in cutting-edge research fields. 

3. Hands-on exposure to photonic simulation software. e.g., Lumerical, COMSOL. 

4. Recommended programming and scripting abilities include proficiency in languages such as Python and MATLAB. 

5. Experience with collaborative coding projects such as GitHub is preferred.