| Electrical and optical interconnects are the foremost technologies for guided-wave digital communication. Electrical interconnects represent the current interface between logic and memory primitives inside computational systems, but optical interconnects serve as a viable alternative technology, owing their recent popularity to increasing bandwidth constraints put on interconnects in the telecommunications industry and within computer architectures. Our goal is to optimize the design of lightwave technology for use in optical interconnects using computer simulation models and verification by empirical measurements.;Herein we take the approach of using vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) as light sources and planar printed lightwave circuits (PLCs) as waveguiding circuits on package. First we examined the methodologies currently used to couple light into optical interconnects using numerical simulations. By comparing different physical characteristics of materials and devices, we hope to identify the best candidates for use with optical interconnects.;Using commercially available software, we performed multiple computer simulations in an attempt to resolve the difficulties with material choice and light source to waveguide coupling. We also experimentally characterized and evaluated a test PLC sample composed of a Siloxane derivative provided by Endicott Interconnect. We determined that the given structure did not perform as expected as to be considered a viable candidate for optical interconnects, yet our sample was an early test structure. Finally, we provide an overview of the present state of research and offer perspectives on future directions. |
