Method and apparatus for modulating an optical beam in an optical device

A method, comprising:

• splitting first and second optical beams having first wavelength and second wavelengths, respectively, into split first and second optical beams that co-propagate through first and second waveguides disposed in semiconductor material, the first optical beam having a signal encoded thereon;
• generating free charge carriers in response to the signal encoded on the first optical beam in first and second multiple quantum well (MQW) p-i-n structures disposed in the first and second waveguides, respectively;
• phase shifting the split second optical beams in response to the generated free charge carriers in the first and second MQW p-i-n structures;
• and
• combining the phase shifted split second optical beams to modulate the second optical beam.

A system, comprising:

• an optical transmitter to generate a first optical beam having a first wavelength, the first optical beam having a signal encoded thereon;
• an optical source to generate a second optical beam having a second wavelength;
• an optical device coupled to receive the first and second optical beams, the optical device including
• a 2×2 optical coupler disposed in semiconductor material, the 2×2 optical coupler having first and second optical inputs to receive the first second optical beams, respectively;
• first and second waveguides disposed in the semiconductor material coupled to first and second outputs of the 2×2 optical couple, respectively;
• first and second multiple quantum well (MQW) p-i-n structures disposed in the semiconductor material in the first and second waveguides, respectively;
• and
• a Y-branch coupler disposed in the semiconductor material to the first and second waveguides, respectively;
• such that the signal encoded onto the first optical beam is encoded onto the second optical beam at the second wavelength output from the Y-branch coupler;
• and
• an optical receiver coupled to the output of the Y-branch coupler to receive the second optical beam with the signal encoded thereon.