OKI OKI develops ultra-compact optical integrated circuit chip that realizes a variety of optical sensors using silicon photonics technology

OKI press release (2024.10.09) OKI OKI develops ultra-compact optical integrated circuit chip that realizes a variety of optical sensors using silicon photonics technology Used as a key technology for GX that can be applied to various social infrastructures
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Optical fiber sensor chip equipped with optical integrated circuit OKI has successfully developed an ultra-compact optical integrated circuit chip that can be used in a variety of applications, including optical fiber sensors, laser vibrometers, and optical biosensors, using silicon photonics technology, which is a semiconductor for optical circuits. This makes it possible to achieve ultra-miniaturization and low power consumption similar to LSI (Note 1), as well as extremely low cost through mass production of optical sensor modules. Optical sensors are a technology that uses optical fibers and optical waveguides with low optical loss to detect, process, and transmit physical phenomena such as vibration, distortion, and temperature in the form of light, and is itself a green technology that saves energy and realizes sensing. It will be. Silicon photonics technology is a technology that can expand the range of applications of optical sensors, which have been limited to local use, and is expected to make a major contribution to the advancement of GX (Note 2). High-precision sensor technology and network technology that smoothly collects vast amounts of sensor data are needed to address the various issues facing modern society, such as aging social infrastructure, labor shortages, environmental issues, and extending healthy life expectancy. Masu. High-precision optical sensors that take advantage of the properties of light that cause little energy loss are one of the effective technologies to achieve this, but because they are large and expensive, they are not suitable for research purposes or large-scale infrastructure applications. It was only applied to. OKI has been engaged in research and development of silicon photonics technology for many years, focusing on optical communication transceivers. Currently, we are adding various optical sensors to our research and continuing to develop them. Silicon photonics technology is a technology that uses semiconductor microfabrication technology to integrate complex optical circuits, which were previously realized by wiring individual optical components with optical fibers, onto a silicon substrate. Because it uses the same manufacturing method as LSI, which is essential for computers, it is possible to be smaller and lighter, save energy, and reduce costs through mass production. Devices that were previously large, heavy, and difficult to handle can now be made into a size similar to a smartphone or tablet,
dramatically expanding the range of applications for optical sensors. In November 2023, OKI announced its technology strategy ( https://www.oki.com/jp/ir/accounts/2023b3/1116_3.pdf ) was announced. “Edge Platform” is a technology concept that expands the value provided by advancing the edge and connecting data based on
“toughness,” which is OKI’s core competency that has supported social infrastructure. Our technology strategy calls for strengthening optical sensing technology in a wide range of areas, from social infrastructure monitoring to the medical field. The development of this optical integrated circuit chip is based on this technology strategy and is the result of making full use of silicon photonics technology. Based on silicon photonics technology, OKI will continue to expand the scale of optical integrated circuits, including semiconductor materials such as light sources that are different from silicon, and promote optoelectronic integration, aiming to expand into more diverse fields. . Ultimately, we aim to create a universal integrated circuit chip that can programmably implement a variety of functions on a single chip, and will utilize this technology as the core of green technology. Please note that this content is based on “OKI WORLD 2024” ( https://www.oki.com/jp/ad/ow2024/ ), we are planning to exhibit optical integrated circuit chips and demonstrate the operation of laser vibrometers and optical biosensors. You can see optical integrated circuit chips in a variety of designs, including optical fiber sensors, laser vibrometers, optical sensor chips for optical biosensors, and optical transceiver chips for next-generation optical access networks.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/17036/723/17036-723-24e3e037eb1109f6599af156138d5b51-900×599.jpg Examples of various optical integrated circuit chips made using silicon photonics Application example It can be applied to the following uses. ・Optical fiber sensor  By miniaturizing and lowering costs through optical integration, all kinds of social infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels, and slopes will be used.  Can be expanded to monitoring and maintenance ・Laser vibration meter  It is approximately 200,000 times smaller in volume compared to conventional optical circuits, and can be mounted on drones and robots.  Contributes to more sophisticated equipment inspection and labor savings by taking advantage of broader frequency characteristics than general vibration meters ・Optical biosensor  Diverse and multiple different biological substances can be quickly and easily distinguished, making it useful in the biotechnology and healthcare fields.  Contributing to the advancement of inspections ・Optical transceiver  An ultra-compact, low-cost, high-speed transceiver for optical access networks can be realized, contributing to large-capacity data communications Glossary Note 1: LSI (Large-Scale Integration) A device in which minute electronic parts and wiring are densely integrated on a semiconductor chip such as silicon. Note 2: GX (Green Transformation) Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and realize a sustainable society Release related links “Optical fiber sensor” introduction page
https://www.oki.com/jp/sensing/optical_fiber/ Approximately 99% of disturbance vibrations removed in “multi-point laser vibrometer” (OKI press release) https://www.oki.com/jp/press/2023/03/z22077.html Silicon photonics technology and its application to optical biosensors (OKI Technical Review)
https://www.oki.com/jp/otr/2021/n237/pdf/otr237_r15.pdf Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. is commonly known as OKI. Other company names and product names mentioned in this text are generally trademarks or registered trademarks of each company. Contact information for media inquiries regarding this matter Public relations office Contact form https://www.oki.com/cgi-bin/inquiryForm.cgi?p=015j Contact information for inquiries from customers regarding this matter Technology Headquarters Research and Development Center Photonics Research and Development Department Phone: 048-431-5498 Contact form https://www.oki.com/cgi-bin/inquiryForm.cgi?p=210j