Embedded Nano-Crystals: From Micro-Electronics to Electro-Optics Devices

Dear Colleagues,

Looking at the evolution of the well-established silicon-based microelectronics industry, one can observe that we are approaching the limit of high-speed communication rates. According to Moore's law, the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles approximately every two years. This means that the total calculating ability of a chip also doubles every two years. Unfortunately, a few years ago, it was established that there might not be a way to follow Moore's law anymore, since the miniaturization of transistors increases their defects.

Looking forward to the next generations of high-speed computers, several alternatives are under investigation, all of which try to combine optical communication channels with the well-established silicon-based microelectronics industry. Since silicon is not replaceable – sand represents 28% of the planet – the challenge is to add optical properties to the existing electronic devices. The principal target is still integrating silicon photonics in a smart, elegant, and transparent way. To this end, and in light of the growing demand for high-speed processing and big data, several types of electro-optics components and photonic integrated circuits (PIC) have been designed, simulated, and fabricated.

Several techniques are under investigation to combine silicon-based electro-optic devices in the microelectronics industry. One of these techniques takes into account the creation of nano-crystals or nano-dots. These nano components are embedded in part of the electronic device’s layers, while creating some nano-dots of material, changing the basic properties of the layer, and enabling photon absorption as a function of crystal size, number, density, penetration depth, and other material parameters.

This Special Issue will publish articles, based on previous research and current work accentuating nano-crystal influence on electronic and electro-optic devices.

Dr. Avi Karsenty
Prof. Zeev Zalevsky
Guest Editors

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