<title>ASOC silicon integrated optics technology</title>

Abstract

ASOC device technology was developed by Bookham for volume manufacturing of integrated optical components. It is based on single-mode rib waveguides formed on silicon-on-insulator wafers and uses many of the same processing techniques used in the manufacture of conventional silicon chips. ASOC is a hybrid technology, using discrete InP-based lasers and photodiodes mounted on the silicon as sources and detectors. Bookham's products are based on a set of integrated optics elements that can be put together to form a number of practical integrated optics devices. The first products to be produced in volume are optical transceivers and transmitters primarily for telecommunication access networks. A narrow-linewidth laser for WDM network applications is also being produced, and the company is involved in the development of silicon waveguide technology for sensor applications such as environmental monitoring.