News Article
Graphene optical link unveiled by IBM
IBM has showcased a new graphene optical link photodetector.
A new graphene optical link capable of transferring 10 Gb per second has been showcased by IBM.
The device utilises a graphene photodetector fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and achieved 6.1 milliamps per watt at the communications wavelength of 1.55 microns during a demonstration in Portland, Oregon.
IBM has broken with convention in creating a graphene photodetector which operates on an SOI substrate, as traditional photodetectors use III-V compound semiconductors such as gallium nitride.
However, the company stated it hopes that this innovation will usher in a new age of photonic circuitry.
"A key advantage of graphene lies in the very high speeds in which electrons propagate, which is essential for achieving high-speed, high-performance next-generation transistors," said Dr TC Chen, vice-president of science and technology at IBM Research.
IBM presently employs approximately 20,000 people in the UK and reported global revenues of $95.8 billion (£63.4 billion) in 2009. Furthermore, the company controls total assets valued in excess of $109 billion.
The device utilises a graphene photodetector fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and achieved 6.1 milliamps per watt at the communications wavelength of 1.55 microns during a demonstration in Portland, Oregon.
IBM has broken with convention in creating a graphene photodetector which operates on an SOI substrate, as traditional photodetectors use III-V compound semiconductors such as gallium nitride.
However, the company stated it hopes that this innovation will usher in a new age of photonic circuitry.
"A key advantage of graphene lies in the very high speeds in which electrons propagate, which is essential for achieving high-speed, high-performance next-generation transistors," said Dr TC Chen, vice-president of science and technology at IBM Research.
IBM presently employs approximately 20,000 people in the UK and reported global revenues of $95.8 billion (£63.4 billion) in 2009. Furthermore, the company controls total assets valued in excess of $109 billion.
