Contract Manufacturing of Silicon Photonic for Optical Communications Market Set to Begin

Sumitomo Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Masayuki Hyodo) and Sumitomo Corporation Kyushu Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture; President and Director: Tsuneaki Maeda; hereinafter, “Sumitomo Corporation Kyushu”), will be joining with Japan Semiconductor Corporation (Head Office: Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture; President and Chief Executive Officer: Kazuya Mori; hereinafter, “JSC”), to begin contract manufacture of silicon photonic 

The rapid development of IoT and Big Data in recent years has made it imperative that optical communications networks transmitting large volumes of data at high speed be further enhanced, and infrastructure improvements are being undertaken to allow for the practical use of 5G communications in 2020. Silicon photonics technology applies semiconductor fabrication techniques to integrate numerous optical circuits on a silicon substrate, consolidating various functions deemed necessary for communications onto a single substrate, and is expected to prove extremely useful in miniaturizing and reducing the power consumption of optical communications devices. Forecasts hold that the silicon photonics-related market will grow rapidly at an annual average of 20% over the five-year period 2018 to 2023.

Sumitomo Corporation Kyushu has been working with JSC since 2015 in the development and trial production of silicon photonic. Under contract with Sumitomo Corporation Kyushu, JSC has been engaged in the development/trial production of silicon photonic featuring optical receiving, transmitting and modulating elements, and has successfully manufactured prototypes of photosensitive elements with world-class performance. The first Japan-based contract manufacturing of silicon photonic, primarily for communications equipment manufacturers, is set to begin in earnest in April 2019, with Sumitomo Corporation Kyushu overseeing sales and JSC responsible for production.

The future fusion of silicon photonics technology with AI technology should lead to applications in telemedicine for sparsely populated areas, automated driving and car sharing in the automotive sector, robotics, household appliances and elsewhere. Sumitomo Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation Kyushu will thus be backing dramatic improvements in information and communications technology through contract manufacturing of made-in-Japan silicon photonics and thereby helping people to enjoy richer and more comfortable lives. 

<Reference>
■ Silicon photonics (image)
 

■Material issues for Sumitomo Corporation
The Sumitomo Corporation Group has defined the “Six Material Issues to Achieve Sustainable Growth with Society” as an important factor in developing business strategies and in the decision-making process for individual businesses. Going forward, we will pursue sustainable growth by resolving these issues through our business activities. This project should prove especially beneficial in “Contributing to the Development of Local Communities and Industries”, “Establishing a Foundation for Comfortable and Enriching Lifestyles” and “Providing Diverse “Accessibility”.”