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PDKs and Project Templates

PDKs (Process Design Kits) contain a set of predefined components, DRCs (Design Rule Checks), and simulation models specific to a particular foundry process. They are essential for designing photonic integrated circuits that are compatible with the manufacturing processes of the chosen foundry.

GDSFactory+ supports 50+ foundry PDKs.

Using PDK Sample Projects

For new designs, we recommend starting from one of the GDSFactory+ sample projects. These projects include a preconfigured pyproject.toml file that defines the required dependencies, PDK integration, DRC setup, and simulation settings for a specific foundry process.

Using a sample project helps ensure that your environment is configured correctly for the selected PDK and allows you to start designing chips immediately, without spending time on initial setup and configuration.

PDK Support

GDSFactory+ supports a wide range of Process Design Kits (PDKs), including both open-access PDKs and proprietary PDKs that require a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the foundry.

The table below summarizes the current level of support for each PDK. Layout support includes both fixed and parametric cells (PCells), DRC indicates design rule checking support, and Models refers to circuit simulation models available for photonic and electrical simulations.

In most cases, PDKs are developed by the GDSFactory team in collaboration with foundries. Because PDKs contain foundry intellectual property, distribution is typically managed directly by the foundry. As a result, access requests should generally be made through the foundry rather than through GDSFactory.

If you need assistance obtaining access to a PDK or identifying the appropriate contact at a foundry, please reach out to us. We are happy to help connect you with the right team.

Photonics PDKs

Foundry Process Platform Layout DRC Models Distribution
Tower - Open Light PH18DA SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
Tower - Open Light PH18DAZ SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
Tower PH18MA SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
Tower PH18MA_SL SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
Tower PH18MA_SL2 SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
Tower PH18MA_SL3 SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
Tower PH18MA_SL4 SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
Tower PH18MN SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
Tower PH18MCG SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
Tower PH18MCI SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
Tower TPS45 SiPho Tower eBizz Portal
GlobalFoundries AMF-GP SiPho GF customer portal
GlobalFoundries AMF-HP SiPho GF customer portal
AIM Photonics ACT SiPho Email request to AIM Photonics
AIM Photonics Qflex SiPho Email request to AIM Photonics
Ligentec AN800 SiN Email request to Ligentec
Ligentec AN350 SiN Email request to Ligentec
HHI III-V JePPIX
Quantum Computing Inc. QCi LN TFLN Email request to QCi
CCraft CLN Core TFLN Email request to CCraft
CCraft CLN Plus TFLN Email request to CCraft
Luxtelligence TFLN GitHub
Silterra Silterra SiPho Email request to Silterra
IMEC Photonics ISIP50G SiPho Email request to IMEC
IMEC Photonics ISIP200G SiPho Email request to IMEC
Compoundtek SiPho Email request to Compoundtek
SiEPIC Ebeam UBC Ebeam, SiPho GitHub
Applied Nanotools ANT SOI220 Ebeam, SiPho Email request to Applied Nanotools
Applied Nanotools ANT SiN400 Ebeam, SiPho Email request to Applied Nanotools
Cornerstone si220 C-band SiPho GitHub
Cornerstone si220 O-band SiPho GitHub
Cornerstone si340 SiPho GitHub
Cornerstone si500 SiPho GitHub
Cornerstone sin300 SiN GitHub
Cornerstone sin200 SiN GitHub
Cornerstone ge_on_si Ge-on-Si GitHub
Cornerstone si_sus Suspended Si GitHub
Smart Photonics HS28PC III-V Email request to Smart Photonics
Smart Photonics HS28PO III-V Email request to Smart Photonics
III-V Labs III-V JePPIX
Lionix SiN JePPIX
Lightium TFLN Email request to Lightium
VTT SiPho GitHub
Generic GDSFactory SiPho GitHub
Honeywell 1550nm SiN Coming soon
Honeywell 780nm SiN Coming soon

Electronic / RF / Mixed-Signal PDKs

Foundry Process Platform Layout DRC Models Distribution
GlobalFoundries 180nm MCU CMOS RF GitHub
Skywater 130nm RF GitHub
IHP 130nm BiCMOS RF GitHub
Quantum RF Superconducting RF GitHub
Northrop Grumman GaN09 RF Coming soon

Create a project without a template

This is only recommended for advanced users who are familiar with GDSFactory+ and want to set up a custom project configuration.

If you would prefer to create a project without using a template, you can manually configure your project to use GDSFactory+.

To configure GDSFactory+ in your project add the following to your project's pyproject.toml:

[tool.gdsfactoryplus.pdk]
name = "..." # Set the PDK used in this project.

[tool.gdsfactoryplus.drc]
process = "ph18ma" # Set the DRC process used in this project. If not set, defaults to the PDK process.
timeout = 3000 # DRC timeout in seconds.

[tool.gdsfactoryplus.sim.wls]
max = 1.6
min = 1.5
num = 1000

For RF simulations, you can add the following configuration:

[tool.gdsfactoryplus.sim.x]
name = "f"
min = 1 # 1GHz
max = 20 # 20GHz
num = 3000