Optical ready substrates

An article of manufacture comprising an optical-ready substrate made of a first semiconductor layer, an insulating layer on top of the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer on top of the insulating layer, wherein the second semiconductor layer has a top surface and is laterally divided into two regions including a first region and a second region, the top surface of the first region into which fabrication of microelectronic circuitry has not yet begun being of a quality that is sufficient to permit microelectronic circuitry to be fabricated therein at a later time and said second region including an optical signal distribution circuit formed therein, said optical signal distribution circuit made up of semiconductor photonic elements interconnected by an optical waveguide made of a material that is transparent to an optical signal characterized by a wavelength of about 850 nanometers or less, said optical distribution circuit designed to provide signals to the microelectronic circuitry to be fabricated in the first region of the second semiconductor layer at said later time.