Phase-change materials for photonic applications

Phase-change materials (PCMs) have been growing in interest over the last decade for photonic applications. In this article, we will firstly review their properties and their key benefits with respect to concurring technologies for reconfigurable photonic devices and systems. Then, we will highlight some key open challenges PCMs are currently facing for their ubiquitous adoption. Finally, we will provide some potential routes for addressing these challenges with a focus on current activities in the Grenoble (France) region.