RE: POEM technology???? I think the most disturbing part of it is they are working to achieve the same thing, but on Silicon instead of GaAs.
Given an assumption that both technologies work, what do you think chip manufacturers are going to jump on the bandwagon for? I'd suggest the silicon version, as I would expect retooling to be significantly cheaper based on the current configurations for silicon chips.
I may be over simplifying, but DARPA money vs. our financing + silicon doesn't stack up well, unless our progress is a lot further along.
Interesting read on POEM and what they are doing, sounds like a direct lift from some of the other material that I've read on POET.
https://www.hpcwire.com/hpcwire/2011-11-17/integrated_photonics_coming_of_age.html
There is a reference in there that "we could see this in 5-10 years" for commercialization.. Hope that's accurate, and OPEL can get their butts in gear to beat them to market.