Encoding an optical signal using a radio-frequency signal

A method for modulating an optical input signal having a first frequency, comprising:

• coupling the optical input signal into a semiconductor nanostructure region in a semiconductor structure through a first optical interface, the semiconductor structure comprising:
• the semiconductor nanostructure region, the semiconductor nanostructure region comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanostructure elements, the semiconductor nanostructure region being capable of absorbing a portion of the optical input signal coupled into the semiconductor nano structure region;
• the first optical interface;
• a second optical interface through which a non-absorbed portion of the optical input signal can be coupled out of the semiconductor nanostructure region in the form of a modulated optical output signal;
• and
• a radio frequency receiver element facilitating a low-loss coupling of a wireless modulation radio frequency signal having a second frequency into the semiconductor nanostructure region;
• providing the wireless modulation radio frequency signal to the radio frequency receiver element and coupling the wireless modulation radio frequency signal into the semiconductor nanostructure region in temporal overlap with the optical input signal to provide a time-dependent electric field across the semiconductor nanostructure regionresulting, by means of the quantum-confined Stark effect (QCSE), in a change in an absorption at the first frequency of the optical input signal in the semiconductor nanostructure region;
• and
• coupling a non-absorbed portion of the optical input signal through the second optical interface, thereby providing said modulated optical output signal,
• wherein the first frequency corresponds to a photon energy sufficient for exciting a charge carrier from a valence band state to a conduction band state so that the modulation of the optical input signal is substantially created by absorption.