8/spl times/8 array of cascadable differential pairs of optical thyristors for parallel optical interconnects

We report on the fabrication of the first monolithic array of 8/spl times/8 differential pairs of optical thyristors. The 64 thyristor pairs have a common anode and a common cathode, such that the complete array has only 2 electrical contact pads for the electrical power supply. Each differential pair of the array is an optoelectronic switch which can emit and receive dual-rail code binary optical data perpendicular to the chip surface. The required optical input energy for switching is only 50 fJ, and the bit rate is at present 25 Mbit/sec.