Here are the downsides to using Silicon (Si): It requires a thick layer (crystalline form). It's brittle, making it susceptible to cracking or breaking. As with any innovative field, silicon photonics faces persistent challenges that demand pragmatic solutions. Broadly speaking, the challenges are threefold: We'll look at these each in turn, and describe. Photonic chips face several significant disadvantages that can limit their widespread adoption and implementation. These challenges include technical limitations, higher manufacturing costs, complex production requirements, environmental sensitivities, and talent shortages.