Abstract: A system and method for quantizing a photonic signal involves passing the photonic signal through a photonic crystal. The photonic crystal has localized defects for splitting the photonic signal into a plurality of quantized photonic components and for directing the quantized photonic components to a set of optical detectors. A digital conversion of the photonic signal can occur by performing a threshold comparison of the quantized components, either in the electrical domain through comparators or in the optical domain through optical limiters.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated optical interconnection includes forming a first optical waveguide in a semiconductor substrate, forming a first layer of dielectric material disposed above the optical waveguide, forming an optical interconnect in the first dielectric layer and disposed proximate to the first optical waveguide. The method further includes forming a second layer of dielectric material disposed above the optical interconnect, forming a second optical waveguide in the second layer of dielectric material and disposed proximate to the first optical waveguide, and forming a conductive contact disposed above and proximate the second optical waveguide.