Optics and electronics are living together

The differences between optoelectronic and electronic ICs are identified. Crystal growth and device fabrication techniques for optoelectronic ICs are discussed, focusing on their advantages and disadvantages. Two novel devices that exist only as discrete components and will perform even better when integrated with other components on a monolithic chip are highlighted. One is an integrated passive cavity laser, which overcomes one of the drawbacks of semiconductor lasers, i.e. that they emit light over a relatively wide spectral band and are thus less coherent than other lasers. The other is a surface-emitting laser which emits light normal to its top surface and can therefore be placed anywhere on the substrate.<>