Ultracompact monolithic integration of balanced, polarization diversity photodetectors for coherent lightwave receivers

The authors have monolithically integrated an optical front-end on InP for balanced, polarization-diversity coherent lightwave reception which is only 1.3-mm long. Low on-chip insertion loss (<4.5 dB) and balanced photoresponse (1.05:1 or better) are achieved at 1.5-μm wavelength using straightforward, regrowth-free fabrication. Low-capacitance photodetectors (≤0.15 pF) are employed for high bandwidth operation

Internal Whistleblowing in the US after Digital Realty Trust v Somers: Any Lessons to be Learnt from Europe?

The US Supreme Court, in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. v Somers, held that employees, who only report securities law violations internally, are not whistleblowers and therefore do not qualify for whistleblower anti-retaliation protection under the Dodd-Frank Act. This decision is based on an accurate statutory interpretation and reflects a clear policy preference towards external whistleblowing in aid of the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) enforcement efforts. Despite the strong incentive to have fraudulent practices and violations reported to the SEC, employees that only make internal reports should not be left without protection. On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, a different approach is observed with more emphasis on internal reporting as the first course of action for potential whistleblowers. European countries tend to prioritise resolving potential issues through internal reporting channels before involving external regulatory authorities. This emphasis on internal reporting is rooted in the belief that it promotes a culture of trust and accountability within companies. Digital Realty Trust v Somers clarified the scope of whistleblower protection under the Dodd-Frank Act, but also initiated a much-needed discussion about the different paths available to whistleblowers and the factors that should be taken into consideration before a decision is made to report externally or internally. Although in principle there is no right or wrong decision, there are some lessons to be learnt in the US and the examples of the UK, France and the EU should not be overlooked considering how interconnected and interdependent our society is

Social Enterprises, Benefit Corporations and Community Interest Companies: The UK Landscape

Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). The present chapter deals with the social enterprises’ landscape in the United Kingdom, with emphasis on certified B corps, benefit corporations and community interest companies (CIC). Although the United Kingdom has the reputation of a jurisdiction that supports the shareholder value maximisation paradigm, it has introduced special rules for social enterprises and has facilitated the development of benefit corporations and B corps. The UK experience may be significantly different from the United States’ one, but it can operate as a roadmap for countries that aim at becoming more inclusive in terms of corporate social responsibility and social purpose.This work was supported by The Geneva Centre for Philanthropy of the University of Geneva with the help of the University of Almería through several written contributions and their financial support

Responsabilidad Y Corporaciones Multinacionales: Atención A Las Brechas Y Mecanismos Para Negocios Responsables

In today’s global economy, Multinational Corporations (MNCs) wield substantial influence across industries, economies, and societies worldwide. This article addresses the vital issue of holding MNCs accountable for their actions. As MNCs navigate complex supply chains, diverse stakeholders, and intricate operational structures, the imperative for ethical, environmental, and social compliance becomes pronounced. The challenge lies in establishing accountability for these transnational entities, given the limitations of traditional regulatory frameworks. Various mechanisms have emerged to bridge this accountability gap, encompassing domestic and international regulations, industry-led initiatives, and civil society interventions. This article offers an inclusive overview of these mechanisms, analysing their strengths and limitations, and assessing their real-world efficacy. By examining the diverse approaches, the article contributes to discussions on fostering responsibility in an interconnected business landscape.Resumen: En la economía global actual, las corporaciones multinacionales (CMN) ejercen una influencia sustancial en industrias, economías y sociedades de todo el mundo. Este artículo aborda la cuestión vital de responsabilizar a las empresas multinacionales por sus acciones. Lo anterior, debido a que, a medida que las multinacionales navegan por complejas cadenas de suministro y por diversas partes interesadas y estructuras operativas intrincadas; el imperativo de cumplimiento ético, ambiental y social se vuelve inminente. El desafío radica en establecer la rendición de cuentas de estas entidades transnacionales, dadas las limitaciones de los marcos regulatorios tradicionales. Han surgido varios mecanismos para cerrar esta brecha de rendición de cuentas, que abarcan regulaciones nacionales e internacionales, iniciativas lideradas por la industria e intervenciones de la sociedad civil. Este artículo ofrece una descripción general inclusiva de estos mecanismos, analiza sus fortalezas y limitaciones y evalúa su eficacia en el mundo real. Al examinar los diversos enfoques, el artículo contribuye a los debates sobre el fomento de la res ponsabilidad en un panorama empresarial interconectado

Low-loss, Ultra-compact Monolithic Integration Of High-speed Polarization-diversity Photodetectors

Polarization-selective optical devices are required for polarization-diversity coherent lightwave receivers.[l] Monolithic integration of such devices with photodetectors improves detector functionality and eliminates package complexity by reducing part count and hybrid optical interconnects. Compatibility with high III-V materials' cost, however, requires simple, high-yield processes and compact device size. We previously proposed a simple and compact integration scheme employing metal-loaded vertical couplers for polarization splitting and vertically-coupled photodiodes for O/E conversion. Initial experiments using InGaAsP/InP demonstrated satisfactory optical functionality, with 10.6 and 16dB polarization selectivity for TE and TM polarized-light.[2] Here we show how such integrated devices can be modified to achieve suitable electronic performance, including wide bandwidth and high quantum efficiency

A New Perspective on the Protection of Whistleblowers Under Echr: <i>Halet V Luxembourg</i>

Copyright © 2023 Dimitrios Kafteranis et al. The Luxleaks scandal, which had garnered widespread attention in 2014 and implicated A. Deltour and R. Halet, has taken a significant turn with the recent publication of the Grand Chamber’s decision in favour of Mr Halet. Initially, Deltour was officially recognised as a whistleblower by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in defence of the actions he took, while Halet faced condemnation for lacking whistleblower status. Halet had previously brought his case before the ECtHR, alleging a violation of his right to freedom of expression. However, the ECtHR’s judgment in February 2023 ultimately upheld the right to freedom of expression, marking a pivotal moment in this legal saga. The judgment itself focused on two critical criteria for safeguarding whistle-blowers within the framework of freedom of expression: assessing the damage caused to the employer and determining whether such damage could be outweighed by the public interest, as well as evaluating the severity of the imposed sanctions. This contribution aims to provide a critical assessment of the Luxleaks case up until the the ECtHR’s Grand Chamber decision. As this analysis will argue, the judgment holds immense significance as it introduces a fresh perspective on the notions of damage and public interest in the context of the Court’s established jurisprudence concerning whistleblower protection