Implementation and prospects for chip-to-chip free-space optical interconnects

Abstract

This paper describes the state of the art in free space optical interconnects as applied to chip-to-chip communication. We will review various technologies that integrate micro lasers and optical detectors with silicon CMOS, provide optical link characteristics obtained with these devices, and discuss the capabilities of low cost and robust optoelectronic packaging techniques to seamlessly integrate optics and electronics at the board level.