InP photonic integrated circuits (PICs) offer game changing performance capabilities across multiple market sectors. Alas, the possibilities have so far been restricted to a small number of vertically-integrated technology businesses. Europe boasts tens of innovative businesses who are positioned to develop PIC-enabled technologies , but – alas again – they do not have access to mature, fast-turnaround predictable, high performance production. InPulse is a manufacturing pilot line for InP PICs which will transform the PIC industry from a vertically integrated model with all skills in-house within a small number of specialized businesses, to an open-access horizontal model accessible to all European innovators. InPulse puts in place the technological and operational processes to: 1) Accelerate the uptake of PIC technology in new markets: enabling SMEs to create tens of products in markets where PICs have not be used before. 2) Enable sustainable production in Europe creating aligned, scalable and inter-locking services and value chains 3) Accelerate time to market from years to under 24 months with predictive design for fewer and faster product design cycles 4) Qualify foundry processes, to TRL7, sharing process optimization across products InPulse combines low entrance-threshold, mature-manufacturing to enable tens of European PIC innovators. InPulse is validated by: • A “Pilot Line Validation Program” with two Participants stretching performance • A “Demonstrator Open Call” program enabling external users to take thirty designs to pre-production • High frequency open access calls, sustainable beyond the end of the project InPulse partners have played a pioneering role in open access InP PICs, creating an infrastructure for research and early stage development. We are very well positioned to enable high TRL development in a scalable design kit driven process driving open access InP PICs from proof of concept to industrial prototyping and pre-production.

TOPIC: "Semiconductors" are often synonymous with "Silicon Chips". After all Silicon supported computing technologies in the 20th century. But Silicon is reaching fundamental limits and already many of the technologies we now take for granted are only possible because of Compound Semiconductors (CS). These technologies include The Internet, Smart Phones, GPS and Energy efficient LED lighting! CSs are also at the heart of most of the new technologies expected in the next few years including 5G wireless, ultra-high speed optical fibre connectivity, LIDAR for autonomous vehicles, high voltage switching for electric vehicles, the IoT and high capacity data storage. To date CSs are made in relatively small quantities using fairly bespoke manufacturing and manufacturers have had to put together functions by assembling discrete devices. But this is expensive and for many of the new applications integration is needed along the lines of the Silicon Integrated Chip. CDT research will involve: the science of large scale CS manufacturing (e.g. materials combinations to minimise wafer bow, new fabrication processes for non-flat surfaces); manufacturing integrated CS on Silicon and in applying the manufacturing approaches of Silicon to CS. The latter includes using generic processes and generic building blocks and applying statistical process control. By applying these approaches students will address and invent new ways to exploit the highly advantageous electronic, magnetic, optical and power handling properties of CSs and generate novel integrated functionality for sensing, data processing and communication. NEED: This CDT is a critical part of the strategic development of a CS Cluster supporting activity throughout the UK. It is part of the development of a wider training portfolio including apprenticeships and CPD activities, to train and upskill the CS workforce. Evidence of the critical need for a CDT, has been identified in a survey and analysis conducted by UK Electronics Skills Foundation highlighting the specific skills required in this rapidly growing high technology industrial sector. "We are looking for PhD level skills plus industry experience. We don't have the time to train up new staff." "There are no 'perfect employees' for CS companies, as this is effectively a new area. Staff, including those with PhDs, either have silicon skills and need CS-specific training, or have CS skills and need training in volume tools and processes, either in the cleanroom or in packaging." - quotes from CS Skills Survey - Report UKESF July 2018. We have worked with the CSA Catapult utilising the skills need they have identified as well as companies across the spectrum of CS activities and are confident of the absorptive capacity: the expected PhD level jobs increase for the existing cluster companies alone would employ all the students and the CDT will support many more companies and academic institutions. APPROACH: a 1+3 programme where Year 1 is based in Cardiff, with provision via taught lectures using university approved level 7 modules and transferable skills training, hands on and in-depth practical training and workshop material supplied by University and Industry Partner staff. A dedicated nursery clean room to allow rapid practical progress, learning from peer group activity and then an industry facing environment with co-location with industry staff and manufacturing scale equipment, where they will learn the future CS manufacturing skills. This will maximise cross fertilisation of ideas, techniques and approach and maximise the potential for exploitation. Y2-Y4 consist of an in depth PhD project, co-created with industry and hosted at one of the 4 universities, and specialised whole cohort training and events, including communication, responsible innovation, entrepreneurship, co-innovation techniques and innovative outreach.