CMOS chip tagged posts

A plasmonic detector that is directly coupled to a silicon optical waveguide and smaller than one micrometer was developed by KIT. Credit: Graphics: KIT

Data traffic is growing worldwide. Glass-fiber cables transmit information over long distances at the speed of light. These optical signals have to be converted into electrical signals for processing in the computer. KIT researchers have now developed a novel type of photodetector that needs far less space than conventional ones. The component has a base area of <1 millionth sq mm without data transmission rate being affected adversely.

The newly developed photodetectors, the smallest photodetectors worldwide for optical data transmission, can be used for integrated optical circuits that significantly enhance the performance of optical com...