Ridge waveguide optical devices
AssigneeBritish Telecommunications plc
InventorsPhilip J. Fiddyment, Leslie D. Westbrook, Andrew W. Nelson
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Abstract
A semiconductor device is disclosed that comprises a base semiconductor portion and, thereon, first and second elevated semiconductor portions separated by a channel. The uppermost surface of the first elevated semiconductor portion carries a metal electrical contact layer and the uppermost of the second a dielectric layer. The surfaces defining the channel are substantially free of metal and dielectric. The structure can be used in a ridge waveguide laser, the first elevated semiconductor portion constituting the ridge. Distributed feedback corrugations may be incorporated in such devices or in other ridge waveguide structures.
Claims19
A ridge waveguide optical semiconductor device comprising a base semiconductor portion and, thereon, first and second elevated semiconductor portions separated by a channel, wherein the uppermost surface of the first elevated semiconductor portion carries a layer of metal in electrical contact therewith, the uppermost surface of the second elevated semiconductor portion has deposited thereon a layer of dielectric, and the surfaces defining the channel are substantially free of metal and dielectric, said device having a grating disposed therein.
A ridge waveguide semiconductor device comprising a base semiconductor portion, an elevated ridge waveguide disposed on the base semiconductor portion, and having an upper surface having a layer of metal in electrical contact therewith, and a grating disposed in at least a portion of the device aligned beneath said upper surface of the ridge waveguide.
A ridge waveguide semiconductor device comprising a plurality of layers providing a base semiconductor portion, an elevated ridge waveguide portion disposed on the base semiconductor portion, a light generating active region and means for confining light with respect to the active region, said means for confining comprising confinement layers above and belo said active layer for confinement perpendicular to said layers, said ridge waveguide providing lateral confinement transverse the ridge, and a grating for providing longitudinal mode control in a lengthwise direction of the ridge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.