The 'Fistech' startup team based at Skoltech has developed Russia's first photonic chip for telecommunications capable of processing signals in the 22 gigahertz band. The chip transmits data at a speed up to 100 Gbit/s per wavelength using DP-QPSK format. Testing of the chip was conducted on fully Russian boards capable of processing signals above 40 GHz.
The development is supported by Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade, Skoltech, and the 'Skolkovo' Foundation. Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) were jointly created with AO ZNTS under the support of the Kurchatov Institute Research Center, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, company T8, and Skoltech's Integrated Photonics Laboratory. The chip demonstrated operational results at a speed of 25 Gbaud/s.
Currently, scientists are testing IQ modulators and coherent receivers to improve signal quality, with the completion of trials expected by June 2025. The 'Fistech' project helps reduce reliance on imports in telecommunications where the market for optical transceivers is estimated at 30-35 billion rubles and currently dominated by foreign products. Chips can be produced entirely in Russia, such as at the Moscow Center of Photonics facilities.
Arcady Shipulin from Skoltech noted: 'The project serves as an example of successful collaboration between science, business, and government.' Kirill Kayem from the 'Skolkovo' Foundation added: 'The market for integrated photonics is growing by 22% annually, and Russia can now claim its share in it.'