Description

Optical integration allows optical modules or subsystems with tens or even hundreds of components (lasers, modulators, couplers, filters, demultiplexers, detectors, etc.) to be integrated on a single chip with dimensions of a few mm. This will make them smaller and cheaper and also use less energy. So far, the development of optical chips is very expensive, but with the introduction of optical foundries in which access to standardised technology is given, they are soon going to become more than a factor of 10 cheaper, putting them within reach of SMEs as well.
The new developments in optical integration technology have great parallels with the developments in microelectronics, which have made electronic ICs so cheap that they are used almost everywhere. By introducing the same methodology in optical integration technology, the development costs for optical ICs will become so low that they will become much more widely applied than they are today.

The lecture will provide an overview of recent developments in optical integration technology and give some examples of application areas where optical ICs can start to lead to important innovations. Europe is leading the way in introducing the foundry approach and the Netherlands plays an important role in this. The lecture will explain how Dutch SMEs and also larger companies can use this lead to strengthen their international competitive position by applying optical ICs in new or improved products

19.00 h Lecture: Optical ICs for SMEs
19.45 h Break
20.15 h Examples of optical chips and visit to the cleanroom
21.15 h End


Photo: Microscope photo of a laser tunable over a wide wavelength range designed for use in a gas sensor. The chip integrates a number of optical amplifiers, couplers, wavelength multiplexers and phase modulators. The chip is more than 10 times cheaper than a system to be assembled from individual components.

Speaker(s)

Prof. Meint Smit

Location

Eindhoven University of Technology,

ATTENTION, CHANGED LOCATION !!! Auditorium, room 9

Organiser

Electrical Engineering

Name and contact details for information

Willy Rietveld t: (073) 624 66 62