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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsizmo Microsystems and IIT Madras have signed an MoU for Phase II of the MeitY-sponsored Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (CPPICS). Named SPECTRA, the five-year program has a stated outlay of ₹99.94 crore, according to an izmo Limited announcement carried by PR Newswire. Its proposed work ranges from data-center optical links and microwave photonics to quantum systems and photonic computing for AI. The named technologies are targets for development, not announced commercial products.
What is the SPECTRA program?
SPECTRA stands for Silicon Photonics Enabled Cutting-edge Technology Research and Applications. It is the name izmo Limited gives to Phase II of CPPICS, a MeitY-sponsored centre at IIT Madras. The company says izmo Microsystems Pvt. Ltd. and IIT Madras entered into an MoU for this phase.
The company announcement puts the five-year project outlay at ₹99.94 crore: ₹97.54 crore from MeitY and a ₹2.40 crore cash and in-kind commitment from izmo Microsystems. Those amounts and the program description are as stated by izmo; MeitY’s separate public update covers earlier CPPICS infrastructure rather than independently confirming Phase II funding or deliverables.
What will CPPICS Phase II aim to develop?
The stated scope covers photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design and fabrication, characterization, advanced packaging, testing and system integration. The announcement identifies four application areas:
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- Data-center optical interconnects: A silicon photonics transceiver engine rated as a planned 1.6 Tbps target at 1550 nm, for high-performance computing and data-center routing.
- Advanced wireless communications: Microwave photonic engines intended to operate beyond 50 GHz.
- Quantum photonics: Integrated quantum random number generation (QRNG) and quantum key distribution (QKD) systems.
- Photonic AI computing: Photonic processors for AI workloads.
The company also lists a process design kit (PDK) for 200 mm wafer platforms with more than 100 IP blocks as a Phase II target. That is distinct from the PDK CPPICS had already launched, which MeitY described in April 2026 as having more than 50 verified components.
What was already in place before Phase II?
On 24 April 2026, MeitY reported the launch at CPPICS of an indigenous silicon photonics PDK and a universal packaged programmable photonic integrated circuit (PPIC) test engine. The ministry described the PDK as design infrastructure for industry, startups, academic institutions and defence R&D organizations, and CPPICS as a shared national facility. These were reported facility outputs; they should not be mistaken for completed Phase II targets.
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MeitY identified SilTerra Malaysia as the silicon photonics foundry partner and izmo Microsystems as the photonic IC packaging partner. It also quoted CPPICS Chief Investigator Prof. Bijoy Krishna Das as saying the centre planned multi-project wafer fabrication runs, testing, packaging and module characterization. His statement describes planned capability, not confirmation that those runs have begun.
What is izmo Microsystems’ role?
izmo’s stated Phase II work emphasizes turning photonic chips into packaged, testable systems. The company says it will contribute to packaging architecture and co-packaged optics (CPO) interface definition, PIC-electronic IC (EIC) co-integration, fiber alignment and attachment, production-grade packaging, process optimization, prototype assembly and reliability validation. Its longer-term stated aim is a certified CPO design rule and service capability.
These are roles and plans reported by izmo, not evidence that the related milestones have been completed. The focus matters because a working photonic chip is only one part of a usable optical system: it must also connect to fibers and electronics and pass packaging, thermal and high-speed testing requirements. izmo Microsystems Director Dinanath Soni described those conversion challenges in the company announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the announcement does—and does not—establish
The announcement concerns government-supported research and industrial capability-building, not a retail product launch. It gives technical targets but no detailed milestone schedule, independent confirmation of Phase II funding disbursement, completion status or evidence that the planned technologies are commercially available. MeitY’s April update provides separate confirmation of the earlier CPPICS launch and partner context, not of every Phase II deliverable.
MeitY also quoted Additional Secretary and India Semiconductor Mission CEO Shri Amitesh Sinha saying that technology of this kind could be supported under upcoming ISM 2.0 (R&D vertical) with an appropriate industry partner. That is conditional language about potential support, not confirmation of a committed Phase II funding stream.
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