Optoelectronic Devices and Material Technologies for Photo-Electronic Integrated Systems

The future direction of optoelectronic technologies is discussed while emphasizing what is needed to establish collaboration between photons and electrons in a single system. Drastic improvements, and even new functions, will be obtained with systems that combine the best features of both electronics and photonics. Optical interconnections in computers are just the first indication of “photo-electronic integrated systems” and the optical interconnection in microprocessors described in this article will constitute the basis of the Photo-electronic Integrated System. Technologies for integration of micro-optoelectronic devices with microelectronic integrated circuits will be the key for the Photo-Electronic Integrated System. A variety of “optical systems” should become feasible upon introduction of electronic circuits in many parts of such systems, where logical operations are required. Conversely, introduction of optical circuits into “electronic systems” will result in great revolution of system functions.