AIM Photonics releases roadmap for U.S. integrated photonics

The American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics) yesterday announced public release of the 2016 Integrated Photonic Systems Roadmap (IPSR), a massive, 400-page study that seeks to capture market drivers and technology and investment needs for the U.S. integrated-photonics industry over the next 15 years. AIM Photonics developed the study in collaboration with the MIT Microphotonics Center and the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI).

The roadmap was developed by 700 photonics-industry professionals from 16 countries. It sees a large market impact for the Internet of Things (IoT) and frames some specific requirements, especially in training, tools, and standardization, to meet the technical requirements likely required in the next 15 years.

The 2016 IPSR identifies four large strategic concerns: a lack of government and other structures to support manufacturers undertaking the risks implicit in developing disruptive technologies; the persistent competition from copper-based interconnects, and striking the right market balance between copper and fiber; the difficulty of developing a cooperation framework for industry amid intellectual-property concerns; and the pervasive need for standardized, commoditized components to meet cost targets.

The IPSR may be downloaded at https://goo.gl/gX7CQK.