Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to photonic
interconnects that can be used for on-chip as well as off-chip
communications between computer system components. In one embodiment of
the present invention, a photonic interconnect comprises a plurality of
on-chip waveguides. Additionally, the photonic interconnect may include a
plurality of off-chip waveguides, and at least one optoelectronic
converter. The at least one optoelectronic converter can be photonically
coupled to a portion of the plurality of on-chip waveguides, can be
photonically coupled to a portion of the plurality of off-chip
waveguides, and is in electronic communication with at least one computer
system component.