Jornal de Lasers, Óptica e Fotônica

Integrated Photonics: Advances in Miniaturization and Integration

Abstract

Nathan Lucas*

Integrated photonics, the integration of various optical components on a single chip, has emerged as a transformative technology with applications ranging from telecommunications to sensing and computing. This article explores the recent advances in integrated photonics, focusing on the miniaturization and integration aspects that are driving innovations in this rapidly evolving field. Integrated photonics leverages the miniaturization of optical components, such as waveguides, modulators, and detectors, to achieve high levels of functionality on a compact chip. This section delves into the advancements in manufacturing techniques, including lithography and etching processes, enabling the fabrication of miniaturized optical components with nanoscale precision. The ability to shrink these components allows for increased functionality and performance within a confined space. Miniaturized light sources integrated on a chip are fundamental to the success of integrated photonics. Recent breakthroughs in on-chip light sources, including semiconductor lasers and silicon-based micro resonators, are discussed. The article explores how these innovations contribute to the development of compact and energy-efficient photonic circuits, essential for applications in telecommunications, data centers, and emerging technologies like LiDAR.