Si based optoelectronics for communications

Si based optoelectronic devices have recently successfully entered the market of optical communications. This fact is stimulating renewed efforts in the design of optoelectronic components based on the well-established Si technology. In this paper, the motivations supporting these efforts and the major obstacles to be overcome are presented. Moreover, an overview of the state of the art of different classes of silicon based optoelectronic devices (waveguides, detectors, light sources etc.) is given.