Optoelectronic Devices Integrated with Optical Waveguides

Abstract

Optoelectronics is defined as the combined use of optical and electronic devices especially involving the interchange of visual and electronic signals. Integration of multiple optical functionalities onto planar substrates is being intensively pursued for a broad range of applications. Progress and success in the optoelectronic devices, such as fundamental transverse-mode laser diodes, low loss optical waveguides, and high quantum efficiency photodetectors, comprise a new and powerful class of monolithic integrated circuits for optical communications. Potential advantages of integrating optoelectronic devices on a single chip, as opposed to using hybrid optical and electronic systems, include increased reliability and reduced size of the circuitry and the reduction in unit cost due to mass production. Moreover, replacing the electrical connections between components with optical connectors increases the available bandwidth of the system and improves immunity to noise from electromagnetic interference. This chapter will give a brief overview about the optoelectronic devices and their integration. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.