On-Chip Hybridization with Light-Emitting Diodes: a New Engine for Silicon-Based Photonic Integrated Circuits?

Lack of on-chip sources is a stumbling block for the further implementation of silicon-based photonic integrated circuits (Si PICs) which have proved their superiorities in applications like communication and biomedicine. Hybridizing light sources onto the silicon chip is a promising solution and for visible lights light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are versatile sources. However, to the best of my knowledge, no reports on hybridizing LEDs on the Si PICs can be found, although a complete on-chip solution operating on visible wavelengths is foreseen to be vital. This project is aiming to fill the blank by experimentally exploring how to bond LEDs onto a silicon chip on which photonic devices are fabricated. If successful, the exploration will probably open up new areas, i.e. on-chip integration of different LED platforms and different PIC platforms to enable diverse functions to benefit areas such as biomedicine, 3D imaging, and visible light communication.