Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) are emerging as a significant and widely discussed technology in the global electronic components industry. This article will delve into the definition, features, advantages, applications, and key differences between PIC and Integrated Optical Circuits (IOC).
I. What Are Photonic Integrated Circuits?
Similar to electronic integrated circuits, Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) utilize semiconductor processing to create optical components such as modulators, switches, and splitters within a single integrated circuit, forming a compact optoelectronic circuit element. While electronic integrated circuits integrate transistors, capacitors, and resistors, PICs integrate various optical or optoelectronic components like lasers, electro-optic modulators, photodetectors, optical attenuators, optical multiplexers/demultiplexers, and optical amplifiers. While electronic circuits transmit electrons, PICs primarily transmit optical signals in the visible or infrared range, connected via optical waveguides. This allows for higher speeds, bandwidth, and lower power consumption.
II. Classification
The manufacturing process for PICs generally involves two main technologies: monolithic integration and hybrid integration. Therefore, PICs can be categorized as monolithic or hybrid integrated circuits. Monolithic integration combines multiple photonic components on a single chip, while hybrid integration combines photonic components made from different materials. Common PIC materials include:Get more details: What Are Photonic Integrated Circuits?