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Objectives
RELINO aims to increase the reliability and manufacturing yield of high-speed (>55 GHz) electro-optic modulators. The modulators are based on thin-film lithium niobate and are manufactured by Versics AG.
The reliability improvement shall be obtained after performing environmental, endurance, constructional, mechanical and control tests. The tests are planned to follow international testing workflows such as Telcordia.
The yield improvement shall be obtained through optimised microfabrication and assembly workflows. The microfabrication tasks include yield analysis of the fabrication process, while the assembly tasks focus on advanced packaging processes and their yield for high-speed electro-optic modulators.
Challenges
The key challenges are two-fold. First, to find the failure modes of the thin-film lithium niobate technology as it requires advanced photonic packaging, and second, to increase microfabrication yield in a material stack that is currently available in 4- and 6-inch wafers.
System Architecture
The RELINO project develops an optical component, not a sub-system or system. However, the electro-optic modulator can be tested under a system architecture of a microwave link (on the optical side, laser sources are connected to the modulator, and on the electrical side, a modulated RF signal is fed into the modulator).
Plan
The project plan can be classified into three main stages: first, the requirements on manufacturing and reliability must be drafted and approved. Second, the manufacturing of enough test devices must be performed. Third, the electro-optic modulators undergo a series of environmental, endurance, constructional and mechanical tests that have been previously defined.
Current Status
The project was kicked-off on 22 May 2023. The requirements of the manufacturing and testing campaigns are being drafted before the Critical Design Review (CDR). Test Readiness Review (TRR) and Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) meetings are scheduled after CDR and before Final Review (FR).
Companies
