EU LASTSTEP Project: group-IV LASer and deTectors on Si-TEchnology Platform
Photonics components that emit and detect in the mid-infrared frequency range, also known as the molecular fingerprint region, are key to applications in environmental sensing, food monitoring and biomedical diagnostics. These photonics components are difficult and expensive to manufacture, as they are typically not compatible with conventional, low-cost complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing processes.
The EU-funded LASTSTEP project will overcome this problem using silicon-germanium-tin semiconductors that feature unique optical properties and compatibility with state-of-the-art CMOS manufacturing processes. This could lead to the world’s first monolithic all-Group-IV photonic platform, cost-effective and ready for widespread adoption.
Video about the Project:
