Integrated photonics in the 21st century

TLDR

Integrated photonics is primarily applied to ICT but also to sensors, with ongoing development of low‑power nanophotonics addressing current challenges and prospects, and the field focuses on the photonic fabric between source and detector. The paper reviews the emergence and current status of integrated photonics. The review examines waveguide properties underlying integrated photonics and presents silicon and plasmonic examples.

Abstract

We review the emergence and development of integrated photonics and its status today. The treatise is focused on information and communications technology (ICT) applications, but the technology is generically employable for a wealth of other applications, such as sensors. General properties of the waveguides that form the basis of integrated photonics are reviewed, and several examples of integrated photonics based on silicon and plasmonics are presented. The all-important development of integrated low-power nanophotonics is discussed and current challenges and prospects of the field are elucidated. The treatment is focused on the photonic fabric between source and detector.