Integrated optic sensors

Integrated optical devices use optical signals for their operation. While electrical currents carry the signals in electronic circuits, beams of light have this function in optical circuits. Thus, electrical connections such as wires are replaced by optical waveguides and semiconductor integrated circuits are replaced by optical circuits. Figure 2.1 shows a schematic representation of an integrated optical sensor, which illustrates the principal components of such devices and also some of the advantages of optical circuitry. Many volumes provide a detailed description of integrated optic theory and technology, and in this section only a brief overview of the most important aspects will be given (Hunsperger, 1991; Tamir, 1979).