Abstract

This paper discusses the development of a practical optical integrated circuit. A distinction is made between hybrid optical processors, comprised of separate components, and true integrated optics, where a number of optical components are fabricated in a single structure to perform a complex operation. By applying the methods of electronic integrated-circuit fabrication, all the requisite optical guidance, processing, and detection elements are produced on the same substrate. This monolithic structure not only alleviates the problem of light losses at discrete device interfaces, but allows incorporation of integrated electronics for detector signal processing on the same chip.

© 1976 Optical Society of America