GATEPOST

The Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics (IHP) is a non-university research organisation in Germany. It is one of the world's leading research institutions in the field of silicon/germanium electronics and has expertise in the areas of semiconductor technology, materials research, high-frequency circuit design and system solutions. IHP is also a leader in the integration of graphene-based technologies.

IHP is the lead partner in the GATEPOST project and is responsible for process development for the integration of components on a large scale and for compatibility with silicon technology. In addition, IHP ensures that the developed components deliver the required performance.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is a global edge-to-cloud company headquartered in Spring, Texas, US. The company connects, protects, analyses and makes use of data and applications regardless of their location. The Hewlett Packard Labs are focused on the transfer of advanced technologies into next-generation products and solutions. In collaboration with HPE business units and research partners, HPE Labs deliver innovations for exciting applications.

The Hewlett Packard Lab, based in Bruges, Belgium, is participating in GATEPOST. The all-optical network security technology developed as part of the GATEPOST project is being evaluated by HPE to determine how these photonic accelerators can be part of solutions currently being developed with power-hungry electronic data processing units (DPUs).

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the largest university in Greece and one of the largest universities in the EU with 81,500 students. The project partner is the Wireless and Photonic Systems and Networks (WinPhoS) research group, which was founded in 2016 and is based at the university's Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation. The research group brings together the Faculties of Physics, Computer Science and Computer Engineering. The research group has more than ten years of experience in the realisation of European funding projects.

In GATEPOST, WinPhoS is responsible for the overall development and evaluation of the photonic memory modules, the modelling and characterisation of the components developed with graphene, the optical and electrical characterisation test benches and the field demo test environment.

Fraunhofer is the largest organisation for applied research in Europe, with 76 institutes and research centres in Germany. The Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI) has been part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft since January 2003 and focuses its research on the entire spectrum of digital infrastructure. Specifically, the HHI develops optoelectronic semiconductor components, integrated optical circuits for data transmission, infrared sensors, terahertz spectroscopy and high-power semiconductor lasers.

In the GATEPOST project, HHI is responsible for building the optical engine. The project team will be involved in the design, fabrication, back-end activities such as coating and testing process, rod cleaving and dicing, and assembly. In the laboratory testing phase, HHI will contribute to component characterisation, far-field, small signal response and system experiments.

Akhetonics GmbH is a start-up company developing the world's first all-optical XPU. The start-up was founded in 2021 in Berlin, Germany and has a branch in Munich, Germany. The two co-founders, Michael Kissner and Leonardo del Bino, have assembled an interdisciplinary team of 10 people with expertise in software engineering, quantum engineering, photonics and nonlinear optics.

Akhetonics GmbH is the main exploitation partner of the developed all-optical components. Within the GATEPOST project, Akhetonics GmbH is responsible for the system and device level modelling and design and will be involved in the demonstration and validation process.

imec is a world-leading research, development and innovation centre for nanoelectronics and digital technology. The head office is located in Leuven, Belgium. The innovation centre also has branches in Ghent (Belgium), Eindhoven (Netherlands), Taiwan (Republic of China) and Florida (USA). Imec has a first-class infrastructure with a clean room capacity of 12,000 m² and is a reliable partner for companies, start-ups and universities. The research focus is on electronic and photonic integrated circuits for optical applications, with an emphasis on fibre optic communication.

In the GATEPOST project, imec will contribute to the device modelling and design from an optical driver EIC point of view. The Belgian development and innovation centre will also support the system integration process and develop a suitable driver EIC to interface with the graphene photonic components. In addition, Imec will be involved in the demonstration and validation process of the developed components.

Founded in 2022 and based in Lausanne, Switzerland, Enlightra has developed the first commercial microcomb. The start-up has 15 team members who are experts in microcombs, packaging, manufacturing and PIC design and testing. Their expertise is unique and Enlightra is currently the leader in the field of frequency comb generators.

In the GATEPOST project, their main contribution will be the development of the microcomb-based source for high speed optical clocking. In particular, their expertise in nonlinear SiN integrated photonics and microcombs, photonic simulations, design layout, PIC characterisation, packaging and system integration will be very important for the implementation of the project.

EurA AG is an international technology, funding and networking consultancy. Based in Germany, the company has expertise in the coordination of research and development projects, the networking of companies and the establishment of strategic partnerships, technology transfer, sustainability and the commercialisation and marketing of innovative products.

In the GATEPOST project, EurA AG, together with IHP, is responsible for the project management and marketing of its implementation.