Nano–opto-electro-mechanical switches operated at CMOS-level voltages

Abstract

Switching light on-chip The development of practical, reconfigurable photonics requires a platform that can be scaled to large circuits and driven by low-voltage complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) electronics. Such a platform requires that switching devices possess a compact footprint, low driving voltages, fast switching, low optical losses, and low power consumption. Haffner et al. demonstrate that the combination of opto-electro-mechanical effects with plasmonic devices can provide a platform that meets all the above criteria. The results are promising for developing on-chip integrated optical networks that can be switched by CMOS-level voltages. Science , this issue p. 860