Introduction to JSTQE special issue on foundry enabled photonic integrated circuits

The papers in this special section focus on foundry enabled photonic integrated circuits. This research highlights the recent progress and trends in foundries and associated technologies to develop volume manufacturing of photonic integrated circuits (PICs). As integrated photonics technology matures and potential market demands increase, foundries become critical for volume production. In recent years the developments in the offerings of foundry services and multi-project wafer (MPW) runs, in both silicon and InP based material systems, enable a path toward volume production of photonic integrated circuits. Fabrication in the foundry environment will also lead to more highly integrated circuits, performance improvements and lower cost