This article explores how silicon photonics works from the basics. It covers the origin of SiPho, why silicon cannot lase, how SOI wafers and refractive index make waveguides possible, why photonics design is so difficult, and why foundry PDKs create sticky competitive advantages.

The piece also explains why world-class optical chips do not require a leading-edge fab and highlights two compelling public market ways to play the theme.

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