QUANTUM FLEX (QFLEX) PIC

The MPW QFlex PIC consists of one silicon, two ridge, and two silicon nitride waveguides. Twelve implant levels are available for active component design, a Ge photodetector, Avalanche Photodetector, two copper wiring levels, and an aluminum termination with passivation oxide and a pad opening. The standard offering has a trench with substrate release, a separate extrinsic material cavity trench and a low-loss edge coupler to eliminate substrate absorption.

On the base active build, the silicon (SE) waveguide propagation loss target is 0.40 dB/cm and Rib (RE) target is ~ 0.150 dB/cm, while the silicon nitride waveguide propagation loss target is 0.10 dB/cm. Current Silicon Nitride on the fully Integrated build is 0.325 db/cm (at 1550 nm. No delta exists between 1520 nm and 1550 nm. Future offering demonstrated SIN < 0.1 db/cm (1550 nm) on a full active run.

Design Information

The QFlex PIC is supported by the component library from the Research Foundation for SUNY (RFS):

  • The RFS library is a comprehensive, high-performance, open and black box library focused on wavelength operations in the O, C, and L bands.

Customization Available

  • Adjust ridge depth

  • Adjust waveguide thicknesses

  • Adjust vertical spacing between waveguides

  • Trench to the waveguides with or without expose

  • Extra/custom implants

  • Extra wiring level

While MPWs typically follow a standard process flow that designers cannot modify, AIM Photonics has developed a “bite size custom” offering where designers can make minor changes to the process flow for an additional fee. This is not a full custom run, and the modification must be something the fab team can execute without development work. The exact specifications and complexity of the design may affect which run it will ultimately ride on, and in most cases, this can vary between one and two months.

Please contact us well in advance of the design due date to ensure the fab team understands your request and can properly quote the work.

See also information about the MPW services agreement.

Quantum Flex (QFlex) PIC cross-section view

Schedule

Year Run ID Design
Due Date		 Expected
Ship Date
2026 QFlex 26-03Q Jul 15, 2026 Feb 16, 2027

Pricing

QFlex
PIC Offerings		 Member
(per 20 qty chips)		 Non-Member
(per 20 qty chips)
8 mm2 $45,000 $54,000
25 mm2 $90,000 $108,000
50 mm2 $180,000 $216,000
100 mm2 $360,000 $432,000

Notes

  • Start dates for runs are subject to change.

  • Member prices shown are for customers who are Full Active Members and have executed an AIM Photonics Membership Agreement.

  • Customer receives 20 qty unpackaged chips of the size/technology ordered.

  • All chips are placed in a gel-pack and shipped to the customer as part of Standard MPW Offerings pricing.

  • For an additional charge, sub-dicing or post processing is available – please see information about Testing, Assembly and Packaging (TAP) Services.

  • All pricing shown subject to change

More Info