Researchers in the US have unveiled a new photonics design platform that could speed up the development of high-performance chips for data centers and other advanced optical systems. California-based semiconductor company OpenLight and Israeli chipmaker Tower Semiconductor have expanded their PH18DA photonics ecosystem by unveiling OpenLight’s photonic Process Design Kit (PDK). Adding lasers to chips The technology is reportedly based on Tower Semiconductor’s PH18DA platform, which combines indium phosphide (InP) with silicon. Aiming for 1.6T connections With the platform, the companies are targeting 400G and 1.6T laser-integrated photonic circuits. The expanded ecosystem should provide a more direct path from chip design to manufacturing by bringing photonics technology, design tools, and production capabilities together.