InP based optoelectronic components for measurements, communications, and computers

Optoelectronic and electronic devices will play a key role in the emerging information age. In particular, devices based on InP materials and operating in the 1-2 /spl mu/m wavelength regime are becoming a necessity for applications in long-haul fiber-optic communications, local area networks and lightwave test and measurement instrumentation. Some of these applications require very high-performance devices and, hence, are not very sensitive to cost. On the other hand, many other applications (for example, computer interconnects), cost is the most important parameter and large-scale manufacturing techniques must be implemented. Examples for both applications are addressed.