Nanotechnology is having a profound impact on telecommunications, leading to easier convergence of related technologies, massive storage data, compact storage devices, and higher performance computing. Nanotechnology for Telecommunications covers research and developmental issues and future directions of MEMS and nanotechnology as they apply to telecommunications. It discusses the impact of nanotechnology on devices such as photonic crystals lasers, light emitters, and sensors. The authors also discuss the challenges associated with the system integration of nano-, micro-, and macro-components in component modules and telecommunication networks.

With its unique promise to revolutionize science, engineering, technology, and other fields, nanotechnology continues to profoundly impact associated materials, components, and systems, particularly those used in telecommunications. These developments are leading to easier convergence of related technologies, massive storage data, compact storage devices, and higher-performance computing. Nanotechnology for Telecommunications presents vital technical scientific information to help readers grasp issues and challenges associated with nanoscale telecommunication system development and commercialization—and then avail themselves of the many opportunities to be gleaned.

This book provides technical information and research ideas regarding the use of nanotechnology in telecommunications and information processing, reflecting the continuing trend toward the use of optoelectronics. Nanotech will eventually lead to a technology cluster that offers a complete range of functionalities for systems used in domains including information, energy, construction, environmental, and biomedical. Describing current and future developments that hold promise for significant innovations in telecommunications, this book is organized to provide a progressive understanding of topics including:

• Background information on nanoscience and nanotechnology
• Specific applications of nanotechnology in telecommunications
• Nanostructured optoelectronic materials
• MEMS, NEMS, and their applications in communication systems
• Quantum dot Cellular Automata (QCA) and its applications in telecommunication systems
• How nonohmic nonlinear behavior affects both digital and analog signal processing
• Concepts regarding quantum switching and its applications in quantum networks

The scale of the physical systems that use nanoscale electronic devices is still large, and that presents serious challenges to the establishment of interconnections between nanoscale devices and the outside world. Also addressing consequent social implications of nanotech, this book reviews a broad range of the nano concepts and their influence on every aspect of telecommunications. It describes the different levels of interconnections in systems and details the standardized assembly process for a broad specrum of micro-, nano-, bio-, fiber-optic, and optoelectronic components and functions. This book is a powerful tool for understanding how to harness the power of nanotech through integration of materials, processes, devices, and applications.