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Electronics and photonics united

A method for integrating photonic devices with state-of-the-art nanoelectronics overcomes previous limitations. The approach shows promise for realizing high-speed, low-power optoelectronic technology.
  1. Goran Z. Mashanovich

    1. Goran Z. Mashanovich is in the Optoelectronics Research Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.

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The integration of electronic and photonic circuits on a single silicon chip could enable unprecedented functions and performance in computing, communications and sensing at a low cost. But this goal has been hindered by the fact that most electronic circuits use bulk silicon substrates, whereas photonic circuits typically require silicon-on-insulator platforms. In a paper in Nature, Atabaki et al.1 report the first fabrication of photonic devices on a bulk silicon substrate, together with millions of electronic devices known as transistors. The work paves the way for the mass production of optoelectronic systems on chips.

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Nature 556, 316-318 (2018)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-018-04443-3

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