Abstract

In terms of product maturity, the optoelectronic industry is many years behind the electronics industry. For electronic components, advances in performance tend to follow advances in manufacturability and manufacturing science. In contrast, advances in performance tend to lead manufacturability for optoelectronic components. The absence of a strong optoelectronic manufacturing infrastructure has created a logjam of R&D devices with interesting functionalities, but which have yet to be, and may never be, commercialized. Without commercial availability of these devices, systems that could utilize their advanced functionalities will be implemented instead with alternative technologies and architectures. This process is self-sustaining, and any incentive to develop products based on these devices is further eroded.

© 1992 Optical Society of America