Retro-reflecting electroabsorption optical modulators

A two-port optical modulator device comprising

• a first deflector means, formed at a non-45 degree angle to a top surface of the device, for deflecting a light signal incident at a first port, at a normal angle to the top surface of the device, to a non-normal direction, with respect to the top surface of the device, for passage through an absorption layer at an oblique angle, reflection off a bottom surface of the device and passage back through the absorption layer at an oblique angle,
• the absorption layer having an absorption characteristic which changes as a function of a voltage applied across the absorption layer and
• a second deflector means, formed at a non-45 degree angle to the top surface of the device, for deflecting the light signal exiting the absorption layer to a normal light signal for output from a second port of the optical modulator and
• wherein a lateral displacement, in a first direction, of the light signal inputted to the first port produces an equal lateral displacement, in said first direction, of the light signal outputted from the second port.