Photonic and electronic device technologies

In the past year, AT&T has put into service the FT Series G lightwave system. Operating at 1.7 gigabits per second, it is the world's fastest telecommunications system in commercial service. The system uses the latest InP-based (indium phosphide) photonic devices and GaAs-based (gallium arsenide) electronic devices. These compound semiconductor devices have a major role in digitizing the nationwide network and bringing new services to business and residential customers. This issue of the AT&T Technical Journal is devoted to the technologies on which these advanced photonic and electronic devices are based.