We propose that the operational wavelength of waveguided Si-based photonic integrated circuits and optoelectronic integrated circuits can be extended beyond the 1.55 µm telecom range into the wide infrared from 1.55 to 100 µm. The Si rib-membrane waveguide offers low-loss transmission from 1.2 to 6 µm and from 24 to 100 µm. This waveguide, which is compatible with Si microelectronics manufacturing, is constructed from silicon-on-insulator by etching away the oxide locally beneath the rib. Alternatively, low-loss waveguiding from 1.9 to 14.7 µm is assured by employing a crystal Ge rib grown directly upon the Si substrate. The Si-based hollow-core waveguide is an excellent device that minimizes loss due to silicon's 6-24 µm multi-phonon absorption. Here the rectangular air-filled core is surrounded by SiGe/Si multi-layer anti-resonant or Bragg claddings. The hollow channel offers less than 1.7 dB cm −1 loss from 1.2 to 100 µm.

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A new type of resonant, waveguided, 2 x 2 cross-connect optical filter is proposed and synthesized using a microwave filter analog. The optical passbands of the device are determined using 2D scattering matrix theory and the desired response is generated via a synthesis for a combined singly and doubly terminated circuit. This synthesis realizes the microring coupling coefficients necessary for maximally flat infrared spectral response. Closed-form analytical solutions are presented. Devices containing two, four, and six microrings were investigated.