Monolithic Integration of Silicon Waveguide and Ge1-xSix Photodetector on Silicon-on Insulator Platform for Intra-chip Optical Interconnect

Photonic circuits fabricated in silicon are emerging as a powerful technology for optical interconnects in future generations of CPUs; for processing signals in optical communications networks; and as compact optical sensors. Silicon, however, suffers from the disadvantage that it cannot generate or detect light in its transmission band. Hence sources and detectors are generally added using expensive hybrid integration. In this project we propose a novel method leading to monolithic integration of GexSi1-x photo-detectors with silicon waveguides on a standard silicon-on-insulator platform. Our innovative approach will make silicon photonics more viable for applications in interconnects, telecommunications and sensing.