Single quantum well optical modulator
AssigneeBell Communications Research, Inc.
InventorsJoseph H. Abeles, Alexander Kastalsky, Robert F. Leheny
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Abstract
High speed optoelectronic devices which are suitable for use in an optical integrated circuit design. The devices comprise a monolithic planar structure wherein exciton-resonant light propagates along a single mode waveguide containing a single quantum well as the absorbing media. Optical absorption is controlled by the bleaching effect induced by free carriers whose electrical conduction makes possible optical detection and monolithic high speed, gate-controlled transistor structures.
Claims19
An optical modulator comprising a single quantum well (SQW) and a planar waveguide configuration coextensive with and overlapping said SQW for laterally confining light propagation through the modulator, said waveguide supporting light of a wavelength near or within the absorption wavelength band of excitons formed in said quantum well and monolithic field effect transistor means for altering the density of free carriers in said SQW.
An optical modulator comprising a plurality of semiconductor layers including a layer in which a single quantum well is formed in a specific region thereof, a planar optical waveguide for laterally confining light propagation through the modulator and which supports a single optical mode at or near the wavelength of exciton resonance, said single quantum well being coextensive with said waveguide, and monolithic field effect transistor means for altering the free carrier density in said single quantum well, said transistor means including a gate electrode for controlling the density of carriers in said quantum well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.