Integrated Optics: An Introduction

Abstract

This paper outlines a proposal for a miniature form of laser beam circuitry. Index of refraction changes of the order of 10−2 or 10−3 in a substrate such as glass allow guided laser beams of width near 10 microns. Photolithographic techniques may permit simultaneous construction of complex circuit patterns. This paper also indicates possible miniature forms for a laser, modulator, and hybrids. If realized, this new art would facilitate isolating the laser circuit assembly from thermal, mechanical, and acoustic ambient changes through small overall size; economy should ultimately result.

Guiding light

“…The arrival of the laser, a source of coherent optical radiation not dissimilar in nature to a pure microwave or radio signal but at a much higher frequency, inspired scientists in the late 1960s at Bell Laboratories in the USA to explore trapping light in thin films and strips of dielectric material placed on a low index substrate [5]. By integrating many components on one platform, they aimed to miniaturise bulk optics in much the same way as electronic components have been integrated on to microprocessor chips.…”

Generic foundry model for InP-based photonics

“…After its emergence at the end of the 60s [1], it was believed that photonic integration would take a similar development path to that followed by microelectronic integration. In his review paper in 1977, Tien [2] mentioned as one of the major goals of photonic integration or 'integrated optics' as it was called at the time: 'the integration of a large number of optical devices on a small substrate, so forming an optical circuit reminiscent of the integrated circuit in microelectronics'.…”

Integrated Cu-based TM-pass polarizer using CMOS technology platform

“…Since the first proposal of photonic integrated circuits (PIC) [1], various passive and active components have been gradually developed with the eventual goal of monolithically integrate the components on the silicon or silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. The silica or silicon passive components include the V-groove and taper waveguides, optical splitters, array waveguide gratings, ring resonators; while the non-siliconbased passive components include the III-V based waveguides, polymer waveguides, and whispering gallery [2].…”