Abstract

Plasmonics is an exploding new field of science and technology in which the flow of light can be molded at the nanoscale using metallic nanostructures. This newly found ability is rapidly impacting every facet of optics and photonics and is enabling a myriad of exciting new technologies. Group IV photonics has also seen tremendous recent progress in the development of high performance light sources, waveguides, modulators, and detectors. As plasmonic devices can be fabricated using CMOS compatible nanofabrication techniques, it is worth exploring opportunities at the interface between group IV photonics and plasmonics. I will discuss recent progress in the development of hybrid devices that exploit the best of each technology and provide my personal assessment of the limitations and most exciting future opportunities for the field.

© 2010 Optical Society of America