The Photonically Optimized Embedded Microprocessors (POEM) is DARPA program.
It should demonstrate photonic technologies that can be integrated within embedded microprocessors and enable energy-efficient high-capacity communications between the microprocessor and DRAM.
For realizing POEM technology CMOS and DRAM-compatible photonic links should operate at high bit-rates with very low power dissipation.
[1] Currently research in this field is at University of Colorado, Berkley University, and Nanophotonic Systems Laboratory ( Ultra-Efficient CMOS-Compatible Grating Coupler Design).
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