06 IN FOCUS In the News Silicon photonic integrated circuit breakthrough A signi cant global optoelectronic advance by a School of Engineering research team has brought the prospect of major improvements to the infrastructure of high-speed network communications in data centers one step closer. The breakthrough could potentially lead to faster, cheaper services as well as novel applications once practically applied and integrated. The researchers, led by Chair Professor Kei May LAU, Fang Professor of Engineering, and postdoctoral fellow Dr. HAN Yu, both Electronic and Computer Engineering, have developed the world’s rst bu erless telecommunication wavelength ( . micro-meter) III-V semiconductor lasers grown directly on industry-standard -nanometer silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers. The innovation heralds a way forward for achieving the long-sought and challenging goal of fully integrated silicon (Si)-based photonic integrated circuits with truly on-chip laser sources. As e ciencies in conventional pure electron- based data systems might not be able to keep pace with the huge growth of data tra c as internet-based services and digitalization continue to expand exponentially, the HKUST development could enable photonic integrated circuits that are capable of much greater speed, power e ciency, and cost-e ectiveness, as well as facilitate new functionalities and applications. Prof. Lau’s group, based in HKUST’s Photonics Technology Center, has spent over years exploring how to integrate III-V materials and functionalities on mainstream silicon wafers. Through continuous innovation and optimization to improve the performance of III-V lasers grown on Si, the team has moved the research forward toward industry requirements. The research ndings were published online in Optica earlier this year. Young entrepreneurs recognized Prof. Kei May Lau’s development could lead to much faster and more power-ef cient photonic integrated circuits. Schematic of III-V laser array directly grown on silicon photonic 220-nanometer silicon-on-insulator platform. Two School of Engineering alumni have separately gained places on the Forbes Under Asia list of young entrepreneurs and changemakers. The list comprises young leaders under years of age, chosen from , nominations in di erent categories. EventXtra’s Angus LUK Kai-Chit ( BEng in Computer Science) was included in the enterprise technology category. He co-founded the event management so ware company with WONG Cheuk-Sum ( BEng in Computer Science). Winston WONG ( BEng in Computer Engineering) was listed in the nance and venture capital category for co-founding Qupital, a trade nance platform for small and medium-sized enterprises. The alumni were selected a er vetting by a panel of judges comprising accomplished entrepreneurs in each category. Criteria for the list included demonstrated leadership and potential of success in their industry, with innovation and disruption also taken into account in nal decision-making. Both start-ups are members of the Cyberport Incubation Programme in Hong Kong. Angus Luk (top picture) and Winston Wong were chosen from 3,500 nominations to join this year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list of changemakers.
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