The Integrated Photonics Laboratory (iPL) at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), managed by Prof. Jonathan Klamkin, conducts pioneering research in integrated photonic technologies for a diverse set of applications including free space optical communications for space exploration and broadband delivery, optical interconnects for data center networks and high-performance computers, microwave photonics and millimeter wave (mmW) communications, remote sensing, lidar, and visible light communications. Our mission is to develop novel materials, devices, and photonic integrated circuits (PICs) to enable systems that are beneficial to society.

Integrated photonics greatly reduces the size, weight, and power (SWaP), while improving performance and reliability of photonic systems. Our group has developed expertise in a range of technology platforms including the compound semiconductors indium phosphide (InP) and gallium arsenide (GaAs), silicon photonics (SiPh), and planar lightwave circuit (PLC) such as silica, alumina, and silicon nitride. For each application or project, we apply the most suitable technology, or merge more than one with hybrid and heterogeneous integration techniques.