For over two decades, the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC) at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has operated as a mission-critical facility supporting Canada’s photonics and semiconductor innovation ecosystem. The CPFC provides advanced fabrication and metrology services
for both internal research programs and external clients, enabling the development and production of cutting-edge photonic devices used in telecommunications, sensing, and quantum technologies. Photonic devices are critical pieces of hardware for high-performance computing in various innovative fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, automotive LiDARs (Light Detection and Ranging), biomedical, aerospace; security, and quantum industry/applications. The global market for compound semiconductor foundry services is growing rapidly, presenting niche opportunities and challenges for Canada. Limited access to compound semiconductor foundry services poses several challenges to develop, successfully introduce, and supply new products in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Photonic devices fabricated on InP wafers must undergo several “back-end” steps before dicing and packaging, adding time and cost if the assembled parts are then found to be defective. This project will establish the capability at CPFC to deliver known good die (KGD) to clients, to reduce time and cost for new product introduction (NPI). To provide KGD, a new clean room (ISO 6) will be constructed (retrofit
of a current facility) to house numerous automated tools, such as Dual Ion Beam Sputter Deposition (DIBS) Laser Facet Coating Systems. This project will address an immediate client need for timely introduction of new products into a competitive marketplace.