Nano electro-optomechanical programmable integrated circuits

Projektinformationen

NEUROPIC

ID Finanzhilfevereinbarung: 101098961

DOI

10.3030/101098961

EK-Unterschriftsdatum 15 Dezember 2022

Startdatum 1 März 2023

Enddatum 28 Februar 2027

Finanziert unter

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Gesamtkosten

€ 2 999 922,74

EU-Beitrag

€ 2 999 921,50

Koordiniert durch

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - NEUROPIC (Nano electro-optomechanical programmable integrated circuits)

Berichtszeitraum: 2024-03-01 bis 2025-08-31

Zusammenfassung vom Kontext und den Gesamtzielen des Projekts

Modern society faces unprecedented demand for data processing driven by artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, data centers, and emerging quantum technologies. These applications require computing systems that are not only faster but also dramatically more energy-efficient than current technologies. Photonic integrated circuits—chips that process information using light rather than electrons—offer a promising path forward, but existing approaches for making these circuits programmable often suffer from high power consumption and thermal management challenges.
NeuroPIC addresses this fundamental challenge by exploring alternative approaches to programmable photonics that offer the potential for significantly reduced power consumption compared to conventional technologies while providing compact footprints and potentially faster operation. Recent technological advances now make it feasible to explore these concepts at larger scales, opening possibilities for programmable photonic processors that were previously impractical.

The project pursues several interconnected technical objectives spanning advanced nanofabrication, scalable programmable photonic platforms, high-density optical interconnection technologies, and neuromorphic computing implementations. These objectives aim to demonstrate that programmable photonic circuits can perform complex information processing tasks with improved energy efficiency compared to existing solutions. A key scientific goal is exploring neuromorphic computing—brain-inspired information processing—using photonic systems with nonlinear dynamics. This research investigates fundamental questions about how physical complexity and nonlinearity contribute to computation, potentially revealing new principles for next-generation computing architectures beyond conventional digital approaches.

Arbeit, die ab Beginn des Projekts bis zum Ende des durch den Bericht erfassten Berichtszeitraums geleistet wurde, und die wichtigsten bis dahin erzielten Ergebnisse

The project has progressed across nanofabrication, programmable photonics, optical interconnections, and neuromorphic computing.

Advanced Silicon Nanofabrication
Nanofabrication processes for nanoscale silicon structures were developed and optimized. Challenges revealed fundamental insights into nanoscale patterning physics. Theoretical frameworks were developed to understand fabrication trade-offs.

Programmable Photonic Platform Development
Photonic components for programmable circuits were developed. Multiple architectural approaches for large-scale networks were designed. Advanced fabrication workflows were established, providing foundational capabilities for scaling.

Optical Interconnection Technologies
A high-density optical interconnect demonstrator was developed and characterized. Custom fiber array technologies were co-developed. Packaging designs for complex photonic systems were completed and validated.

Neuromorphic Computing Implementation
Theoretical frameworks for nonlinear dynamics in photonic structures were established, demonstrating information processing capabilities. An experimental platform was constructed and validated. Device designs were developed and demonstrator concepts defined for further validation.

Fortschritte, die über den aktuellen Stand der Technik hinausgehen und voraussichtliche potenzielle Auswirkungen (einschließlich der bis dato erzielten sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen und weiter gefassten gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Projekts)

The project has achieved results that advance beyond current capabilities in programmable photonics, nanofabrication, and neuromorphic computing.
In nanofabrication, the consortium has pushed silicon lithography boundaries to achieve feature sizes and structural control exceeding conventional capabilities. Novel insights into ultra-high-resolution patterning physics have been uncovered. Some advances remain confidential for intellectual property protection.

Large-scale programmable photonic networks demonstrate potential advantages in power efficiency. Novel architectural approaches enable scaling to thousands of programmable nodes, with error correction methodologies established for practical deployment.
High-density optical interconnect demonstrations achieved channel densities substantially exceeding conventional standards. Custom fiber arrays with reduced pitch dimensions demonstrate advanced interconnection manufacturability.
In neuromorphic photonic computing, theoretical frameworks and experimental platforms exploring native nonlinearities in photonic nanostructures have been established, demonstrating functional computing capabilities using physical dynamics.