3 Review(s)

The field of Si-based optoelectronics is greatly expanding and attracting increased interest from the scientific community. This interest is largely motivated by the possibility of combining, on the same substrate, the excellent data-processing performances of Si-based electronic functions with the unrivaled capability of light in the transmission of information. In fact, experimental efforts have led to several breakthroughs that promise new approaches and potential commercialization of low-cost Si-based photonic devices. Physical properties and optical performance of various materials (nanocrystals, porous Si, Er-doped Si and SiGe, to mention just a few examples) are now reasonably well understood, and the requirements necessary for efficient device performances have been elucidated. Experimental and theoretical contributions are presented here and topics include: Si-based integrated optoelectronics - state of the art and perspectives; waveguides and modulators; integrated and discrete light sources and detectors; properties and applications of silicon nanocrystals; materials for IR and visible light emission; and new materials and device concepts.