Silicon CMOS-integrated nano-photonics for computer and data communications beyond 100G

Five criteria that are usually considered by IEEE standards committees for development of next generation standards are broad market potential, distinct identity, and compatibility, as well as technical and economic feasibility. We consider these criteria separately and show that the new emerging large-volume markets loosely defined as Computercom will demand new standards and new technologies. We discuss how the balance between single-channel bit rate, and number of wavelength multiplexed and spatially multiplexed optical channels can help to satisfy the need for huge total bandwidth, while keeping cost low and power efficiency high. Silicon CMOS-integrated photonics holds promise to become a technology of choice for wide deployment of low-power and cost-effective optical interconnects for these new markets, and to become a single solution addressing distances spanning from just a meter to 10km. © 2012 IEEE.