Optical Interconnection Routing Studies Using Alkyl Silicon Polymers

Abstract

In order to exploit the potential of wafer-level systems for providing compact distributed computing systems, mapping of a very high perfromance communication network into the scaled multi-wafer environment will be essential. Both free-space and planar integrated optics can play an important role in establishing this interconnection medium, potentially providing an environment of homogenious connectivity from wafer to wafer. For planar optical interconnections, the connectivity that can be provided is largely a function of the routing constraints imposed by the medium itself and the system configuration, noise and power budget. The set of trade-offs are significantly different than those both for long distance lightwave systems and for circuit board electrical interconnections. In this paper, some basic issues related to routing of planar optical interconnections in manhattan-like routing configurations are reviewed with emphasis on the layout of large arrays of waveguides for parallel signal transmission. Present experimental work to help clarify constraints on optical interconnection layout using dense arrays of polysilyne thin film optical waveguides is described.