Baba the approach relates to the direction to mimic solutions that have made solid state electronics what it is today. The removal of free space optics the lateral offset of thermal profile for precise temperature control to accurately control refractive index and to do all of this in a microfabrication flow which is compatible with CMOS (which lowered the cost of electronic devices).

If Tom had said all of that he would have lost his audience. And as far as the technology being valid you can't go into design without a valid technology. They have demonstrated in simulation the metrics of these components are predictable and closely matched actual results.

In my opinion I think you may be confusing valid with qualified in terms of the technology.

Got to run.