Objective In the last decade, Silicon Photonics has been a rapidly growing field fueled by the promise of highly scalable, ultra-low power, high bandwidth and low cost silicon based optical communication systems. The last few years have seen the emergence of several dedicated world-class research groups, a dedicated international conference, heavy investments by the semiconductor industry giants, multiple private equity funded start-ups, as well as dedicated multi-user foundry services. Nevertheless, several critical roadblocks remain that have so far prevented the field from displacing older optical technologies, the resolution of which presents extremely challenging scientific challenges, requiring highly innovative devices and system architectures as well as bleeding edge process development. In a nutshell, state-of-the-art Silicon Photonics remains marginally too expensive for ultra-short distance links, too low performance for long haul communications, and still has too high a power consumption to displace electrical interconnects at the circuit board level. It is the goal of this proposal to reach three key milestones that in the applicant’s opinion are critical enablers for the field on its path towards becoming a truly disruptive technology. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivitynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloidsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsengineering and technologynanotechnologynanophotonics Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-PE7 - ERC Starting Grant - Systems and communication engineering Call for proposal ERC-2011-StG_20101014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Coordinator RHEINISCH-WESTFAELISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE AACHEN EU contribution € 1 917 080,00 Address Templergraben 55 52062 Aachen Germany See on map Region Nordrhein-Westfalen Köln Städteregion Aachen Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Jeremy Witzens (Prof.) Administrative Contact Ernst Schmachtenberg (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all RHEINISCH-WESTFAELISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE AACHEN Germany EU contribution € 1 917 080,00 Address Templergraben 55 52062 Aachen See on map Region Nordrhein-Westfalen Köln Städteregion Aachen Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Jeremy Witzens (Prof.) Administrative Contact Ernst Schmachtenberg (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data