Perspectives on photonic integration

Summary form only given. Photonic integration can be viewed as a replacement technology from two perspectives; replacing discrete optical solutions with improvements in cost, size, and power, but also enabling the evolving replacement of network functionality that has historically been provided in the electronic domain. This talk will explore the status of integration in the world of photonics, both from technological and market or application perspectives. The tenuous analogy with the history of electronic integration is examined to gain a better understanding of the expectations and role of photonic integration. Additionally, this talk will discuss the evolving role that photonics is playing in communications networks, and the impact of this evolution as a driver for integration.