Silicon Catalyst from Santa Clara California, an incubator that’s only focused on accelerating solutions in silicon, has made an announcement that will open a UK-based accelerator in Stewkey, England. The accelerator will be a big boost in accelerating the implementation of silicon photonic technology in the quantum computing industry. This accelerator in the UK will be led by Dr Ron Black and Sean Redmond, two experienced professionals in the semiconductor industry.
“The UK has incredible innovation through its world-class universities, already significant startup community, and support from the government,”
Dr Ron Black.
What is silicon photonic technology?
The photonic integrated circuit is a device that integrates multiple photonic functions, as because of this characteristic it is very similar to an electronic integrated circuit. The key difference between the two is that the photonic integrated circuit provides functions for information signals imposed on optical wavelengths in the visible spectrum or near-infrared at 850 – 1650 nm.
The most widely used material for these photonic integrated circuits is indium phosphide or shortened InP, this material allows the integration of numerous optically active and passive functions on the same chip. The simplest examples of this technology are the distributed Brag reflector lasers. They consist out of two controlled device sections that run independently- a DBR mirror section and a gain section. And as a consequence, all of the modern monolithic tunable lasers, transmitters, integrated receivers are working on this technology, and we can say they are photonic integrated circuits.
How it is connected with quantum computing?
Quantum technologies are emerging with more and more companies jumping into the quantum space with the creation of different startups who are putting a huge effort into this technology, hoping that its going to be the next big thing. Some of them have already started implementing photonic integrated circuits into their projects. This technology of integrated quantum photonics has enabled the generation, detection, and processing of quantum states of light. At an increased level of complexity moving from just a few component circuitry that occupies a centimeter-scale footprint and running only two photons, to complex programable devices running 1000 components occupying just millimeter-scale footprints with an integrated generation of multiphoton states. More about the advances in integrated photonic technologies you can read in Nature.
How startups are using these advancements in quantum photonic technologies?
Last year we announced the 125 million investment into PsiQuantum, to help their efforts to create the most powerful quantum computer, and in May this year, we announced their partnership with Global Foundries, a leader in the semiconductor industry. With this partnership, they aim to build their Q1 system a million-qubit system by utilizing silicon photonic technology.
PsiQuantum and GF have developed some complex core components required for this project. These components include single-photon sources and single-photon detectors, with precision and volume. Their fabrication equipment can produce thousands of Q1 silicon chips at their state-of-the-art facility in New York, and their high-end chips are produced at their facilities based in Dresden Germany.
Decades of semiconductor development
The interest in using semiconductor technologies is still strong, with its 60 years history, it is still a gem for investors. It is the only technology that can get a massive number of qubits into production, and that is the goal they want to achieve, this technology has endless possibilities and advantages compared to classical computing. There are competing technologies as Ion Traps and Superconducting technologies, but they can only get a few hundred qubits, far behind the goal of 1000 qubits, and with this way of semiconducting technology these numbers are highly achievable.
How the new Silicon Catalyst Accelerator is going to help this happen?
According to them, their mission is to help semiconductor startups succeed. They have created a special ecosystem that lowers the capital expenses concerning the design and fabrication of silicon integrated circuits, sensors, and microelectromechanical systems by providing top technology design tools and services gathered from a big network of In-Kind Partners called IKPs. The companies that are going to join the accelerator will fully utilize these IKP tools and services. Including design tools, design services, simulation software, foundry PDK access, and MPW runs, tester access, and legal and banking services. This service will help startups in making startup ideas a reality.
“Silicon Catalyst exists to help start-ups, and we’re excited for the opportunity to accelerate the technology innovation happening in the United Kingdom. Over the last six years, Silicon Catalyst has made available to its Portfolio Companies over $100 million dollars of in-kind services and helped them to raise more than $250 million dollars in funding. In addition, many of our Portfolio Companies credit their success to the extensive network of nearly 200 advisors which saved them literally years by avoiding mistakes that most start-ups make.”
Nick Kepler, Chief Operating Officer of Silicon Catalyst
Many of the startup companies in the UK have also showed their appreciation with the creation of the new Accelerator.
“Silicon Catalyst has opened the doors to Silicon Valley for us. In addition to affordable access to high-value In-Kind Partners like TSMC, Synopsys, and Advantest, Trameto has been strongly supported by experienced semiconductor industry veterans such as Mark Ross, ex-CTO of Cypress Semiconductor, as technology contributor and advisor, and John East, ex-CEO of Actel, as advisor.”
Huw Davies, CEO of UK startup Trameto.
“We are pleased to be working with SiliconCatalyst.UK to ignite the next generation of innovation. The strengthening economic pull from new market verticals for custom silicon is creating tremendous opportunity for chip design start-ups. With a distinguished track record enabling emerging businesses, Synopsys provides Silicon Catalyst portfolio companies with state-of-the-art tools and IP that reduce risk and accelerate time-to-market.”
Steve McDonald, Synopsys VP of Sales for Europe.
About Silicon Catalyst
Silicon Catalyst is the only accelerator in the world created for the sole purpose of accelerating solutions in silicon. They have created a coalition with In-Kind and Strategic partners and have drastically reduced the cost and complexity in the development area. Since 2015 more than 400 start-up companies have engaged with the accelerator and 38 of them have been admitted to it. With huge experience under their belt and world-class professionals as mentors to advise the startups, Silicon Catalyst is helping new companies in the semiconductor field to address their challenges and build their idea into realization. Silicon Catalyst is providing blueprints to design tools, silicon devices, helps them with networking, gives them access to funding and marketing to make a successful start and launch their solutions. For more information about Silicon Catalyst, you can visit their website.
