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17 Jun 2002
US researchers tackle optical integration issues to unleash network bottlenecks.
Large-scale integration of optical components holds the key to the increased bandwidth that is crucial for future telecoms growth. Researchers at Northwestern University, US, claim they have found a solution.
The team, led by Northwestern's professor of materials science and engineering Bruce Wessels, has developed thin-film electro-optical modulators, waveguides and optical amplifiers based on ferroelectric materials. According to Wessels, ferroelectrics - dielectric materials that exhibit spontaneous electric polarization - have superior properties to the bulk crystals that are conventionally used in optical circuits.
"Our thin-film modulator is inexpensive, operates at high speeds and at frequencies of up to 20 GHz, and has a low voltage. These are key properties to producing truly integrated optical circuits," Wessels explained. "With bulk crystals, integration is limited."
Wessels has joined forces with SVT Associates, a US-based developer of telecoms and optoelectronic devices, to commercialize his integrated-optics technology.
Keen to meet low-cost and high-volume production needs, Wessel said, "We have produced workable prototypes on non-silicon substrates, and plan to develop integrated optical circuits on silicon."
The team expects to have a working integrated modulator device on silicon in the near future.
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