Researchers develop fast, micrometer-size electro-optical modulator
(PHYSorg.com Physics)

Researchers at the George Washington University developed and demonstrated for the first time a silicon-based electro-optical modulator that is smaller, as fast as and more efficient than state-of-the-art technologies. By adding indium tin oxide (ITO)-a transparent conductive oxide found in touchscreen displays and solar cells-to a silicon photonic chip platform, the researchers were able to create a compact device 1 micrometer in size and able to yield gigahertz-fast, or 1 billion times per second, signal modulation.