Distributed electro-absorption modulator systems

An electro-photonic integrated circuit comprising:

• a distributed electro-absorption modulator (EAM) comprising a one or more EAM portions each having an absorption region and being optically coupled along an optical propagation path to generate a modulated optical output from an optical input to the EAM;
• a distributed driver comprising a one or more driver portions each receiving a drive signal input for the EAM from an electrical input;
• and;
• the distributed EAM being electrically coupled to the distributed driver along the optical propagation path via a discontinuous contact arrangement;
• wherein the modulated optical output is based on the optical input and the electrical input to implement equalization, the equalization comprises controlling at least one of a propagation delay and a gain of one or more of the optical input and the electrical input to provide a desired signal characteristic in the modulated optical output;
• wherein the distributed EAM comprises waveguide structure comprising a p-layer an i-region and a n-layer;
• and
• wherein the discontinuous contact arrangement comprises a first part formed on the p-layer and a second part formed on the n-layer and wherein at least one of the first and second part of the discontinuous contact arrangement comprising a transmission line having a comb structure.