As the limits of electrical performance come within sight, photons are poised to take over for the electron. But the search continues for the materials, topologies, and fabrication technologies capable of producing photonic devices at a reasonable speed and cost. Taking a fundamentallook at the development of photonic technology from the macro- to the microscale, Applied Microphotonics introduces the major principles and technologies underlying the field.

Following an overview of historical and commercial driving forces, the authors briefly review the underlying physics,...