Cryogenic Probing of PICs
photonic integrated circuits testing & device characterization
Currently, there is a clear trend towards on-chip photonic integrated circuits (PICs) in the research community, with the clearly articulated goal to industrialize the technology. The vision is industry level photonic chips with extensive optical circuitry to carry out classical logical or quantum operations with many optical signals coupled in and out of the chip via several optical ports. In addition, electrical DC and HF signal control requires an elaborate electronic infrastructure as well.
The combination of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and quantum technologies is a very promising approach to significantly scale up optical quantum computing, as existing infrastructure of semiconductor manufacturing could be utilized. Similar to the classical fabrication process, frequent testing by wafer probers is crucial to ensure the required performance.
However, PICs for quantum computing operate in cryogenic environments, and so new technology is needed for combined optical and electrical probe stations to analyze these complex devices.
attocube's solution
attocube´s low temperature positioners are perfectly suited to individually position multiple optical fiber or electrical probes, as well as fiber arrays in the cryogenic environment.
Challenges like precision movement, low heat dissipation and stable position at the target location are met with attocubes nanopositioners. Despite their small size, required to fit typical cryostat spaces, they offer a total travel in the cm range with nanometer precision. Thanks to the modular principle, multiple degrees of freedom can be achieved in systems tailor made for the customer’s application.
Cryogenic Nanopositioners
- down to milli-Kelvin
- multi-axis operation & modular design
- closed loop control
- large travel ranges
