At the beginning of the electronics revolution, germanium was there with the first transistor. But will germanium continue to be a key enabler in the transition from photonics with discrete components to functional photonic integrated circuits? The combined efforts of contributors from France, Germany, Japan and the United States present a decidedly positive answer to this question.
This book covers everything from the basic physics of germanium to a range of germanium-based devices, including waveguides, detectors, modulators, LEDs and lasers. The contributors also discuss the role of germanium in silicon-based integrated photonics, as well as fabrication techniques and electronic devices such as MOSFETs (metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor).
Good illustrations and up-to-date references support this comprehensive yet concise text. Anyone who wishes to contribute to advancing the cause of germanium will find much to stimulate and support them in this well-prepared volume. Go Ge!
Review by K. Alan Shore, Bangor University, School of Electronic Engineering, Wales, UK
The opinions expressed in the book review section are those of the reviewer and do not necessarily reflect those of OPN or OSA.