Optoelectronics Research Centre

PIC Bootcamp – Enthusiast - Hands-on introduction to PICs and their Functionality

This course is designed for those seeking technical insight into Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), including how they can be integrated into existing systems or replace traditional approaches, and what considerations need to be taken into account.
This course is suitable for you if you are engaged with PICs in any capacity, whether you are an R&D engineer, an electronics engineer designing electronics to control PICs, a system integrator looking to replace bulk optics, a product designer aiming to use PICs to meet customer needs, or a team leader overseeing PIC engineers who wishes to understand how they operate, along with any others we may have overlooked here.

What will you gain?

• An understanding of where PICs can be deployed, their advantages and limitations.
• A high-level appreciation of PIC components and where they are beneficial.
• An intuitive feel for the operation of passive PIC circuitry through hands-on guided lesson plans
  

Planned Activities:

Informal lecture and hands-on lab with introductory concepts.  How does light travel in an optical waveguide, i/o, how can it be directed, how do we tune certain parameters, existing and emerging application areas, advantages & limitations of PICs

Further information can be found on our WEBSITE

Payment using the Online Store can only be completed via Visa and Mastercard Credit/Debit Card or PayPal.  AMEX is not accepted
If you have not previously created an account for the Online Store, you will need to create an account to make a payment.

If you would like to pay via issuing a Purchase Order followed by receiving an Invoice please contact cornerstone@soton.ac.uk. You will be required to upload your Purchase Order to our payment portal.

RITM0708075

PIC Bootcamp – Practitioner 1: Design – Introduction to Simulation

This one-day course provides a practical introduction to Ansys Lumerical, enabling participants to become confident with the interface, core simulation workflows, and the broader applications of the tool within PIC design. Attendees receive preparatory reading to maximise the hands-on lab time and leave with the ability to drive industry-standard simulations effectively.

What will you gain?

• Confidence navigating Ansys Lumerical independently
• Understanding of the software’s core functions and typical use cases
• Insight into best practices for modelling discrete components and assemblies
• Awareness of how simulation outputs feed subsequent design and fabrication steps

Planned Activities:

• Instructor-led walkthrough of the Ansys Lumerical environment
• Guided exercises on building and simulating foundational components
• In-class worked examples with live troubleshooting
• Provision of pre-course materials and a limited-duration licence for post-course practice
  

Payment using the Online Store can only be completed via Visa and Mastercard Credit/Debit Card or PayPal.  AMEX is not accepted
If you have not previously created an account for the Online Store, you will need to create an account to make a payment.

If you would like to pay via issuing a Purchase Order followed by receiving an Invoice please contact cornerstone@soton.ac.uk. You will be required to upload your Purchase Order to our payment portal.

RITM0708090

PIC Bootcamp – Practitioner 2: Design – Introduction to Chip Circuit Layout for Fabrication

This one-day course familiarises participants with translating PIC designs into foundry-compliant layouts using Luceda IPKISS alongside Ansys Lumerical outputs. The session bridges design and fabrication by unpacking PDK requirements, layout validation, and the preparation of manufacturing-ready files. It is closely linked to Practitioner 1 and is best taken as a pair.

What will you gain?

• Understanding of layout creation and the role of PDKs before fabrication
• Practical experience converting designs into foundry-ready formats
• Awareness of common design-rule pitfalls and how to de-risk layouts
• Access to short post-course support (up to two hours within two months)

Planned Activities:

• Lectures covering layout workflows, PDK structures, and submission best practices
• Hands-on exercises using Luceda IPKISS to translate example designs
• Demonstrations of automated checks and GDS export
• Discussion of how layout data integrates with simulation outputs and fabrication needs

Payment using the Online Store can only be completed via Visa and Mastercard Credit/Debit Card or PayPal.  AMEX is not accepted
If you have not previously created an account for the Online Store, you will need to create an account to make a payment.

If you would like to pay via issuing a Purchase Order followed by receiving an Invoice please contact cornerstone@soton.ac.uk. You will be required to upload your Purchase Order to our payment portal.

RITM0708090

PIC Bootcamp – Practitioner 3: Introduction to Fabrication

This two-day in-person lab introduces the core fabrication processes for PICs, highlighting how process constraints drive design choices and influence yield. Participants rotate through six cleanroom stations, gaining hands-on experience with equipment, safety procedures, and inspection steps while following the journey of a Course PIC that they take away at the end.

What will you gain?

• Clear understanding of each stage in a typical PIC fabrication flow
• Practical familiarity with cleanroom tooling, safety, and process controls
• Appreciation of how fabrication tolerances affect performance and layout decisions
• A fabricated Course PIC to reinforce learning beyond the classroom

Planned Activities:

• Introductory lectures on fabrication steps and typical failure modes
• Guided practice across lithography, etch, deposition, and metrology stations
• Small-group rotations to maximise time on tools and supervision
• Final debriefs covering design-for-manufacture tips and troubleshooting

Payment using the Online Store can only be completed via Visa and Mastercard Credit/Debit Card or PayPal.  AMEX is not accepted
If you have not previously created an account for the Online Store, you will need to create an account to make a payment.

If you would like to pay via issuing a Purchase Order followed by receiving an Invoice please contact cornerstone@soton.ac.uk. You will be required to upload your Purchase Order to our payment portal.

RITM0708090

PIC Bootcamp – Practitioner 4: Introduction to PIC Packaging

This one-day course demystifies the packaging phase of the PIC workflow, showing how optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical considerations determine long-term performance and cost. Through demonstrations and workstation rotations, participants examine alignment, bonding, fibre attach, electrical interconnects, signal integrity, and thermal management practices used by industry.

What will you gain?

• Holistic overview of PIC packaging flows and their dependencies
• Awareness of key constraints that influence reliability, testability, and integration
• Practical exposure to alignment, coupling, bonding, and inspection steps
• Insight into how early-stage design decisions reduce packaging risk

Planned Activities:

• Expert-led demos across multiple packaging workstations
• Case studies covering common integration challenges and mitigation tactics
• Hands-on practice with representative fixtures and metrology tools
• Discussion on how packaging feedback loops into design and fabrication choices

Payment using the Online Store can only be completed via Visa and Mastercard Credit/Debit Card or PayPal.  AMEX is not accepted
If you have not previously created an account for the Online Store, you will need to create an account to make a payment.

If you would like to pay via issuing a Purchase Order followed by receiving an Invoice please contact cornerstone@soton.ac.uk. You will be required to upload your Purchase Order to our payment portal.

RITM0708090