An Introduction to Integrated Optics for Computing

The development of monolithic computing elements has been made possible by the ability to construct waveguide structures on semiconductors; laser diodes or LED arrays, waveguides, lenses, couplers, detector arrays, and high-speed electronics can be fabricated on the same substrate by means of conventional semiconductor-processing technology. It is noted that despite the excess losses due to optical power absorption exhibited by such active materials, recent advancements allow the optimization of these materials' waveguide properties to minimize losses over the short distances typical of integrated optical circuits. Attention is given to the basic design of sources, modulators, switches, photodetectors, and bistable devices. (O.C.)