Optical modulator system

A laser diode device, comprising:

• a first waveguide having a first reflector at a first end of the first waveguide and a switch at a second end of the first waveguide;
• a second waveguide having a second reflector at a first end of the second waveguide and a switch at a second end of the second waveguide, wherein the first and second reflectors and first and second waveguides comprise a cavity of a laser diode of the device;
• a third waveguide having an outcoupling aperture, the third waveguide optically connected to receive a first portion of photons from the first and second waveguides;
• a fourth waveguide optically connected to receive a second portion of photons from the first and second waveguides;
• wherein the state of the switch of the first waveguide and the state of the switch of the second waveguide determines the relative sizes of the first and second portions of photons.

A laser diode device, comprising:

• a first waveguide having a first reflector at a first end of the first waveguide;
• a second waveguide having a second reflector at a first end of the second waveguide, wherein the first and second reflectors and first and second waveguides comprise a cavity of a laser diode of the device;
• a third waveguide having an outcoupling aperture, the third waveguide being optically coupled to receive photons from the first and second waveguides;
• a fourth waveguide, the fourth waveguide being optically coupled to receive photons from the first and second waveguides;
• a first switch system connected to control the degree of coupling between the first waveguide and the third and fourth waveguides;
• and
• a second switch system connected to control the degree of coupling between the second waveguide and the third and fourth waveguides.

A laser diode device, comprising:

• a first waveguide having a first reflector at a first end of the first waveguide and a second reflector at a second end of the first waveguide, the first waveguide having an outcoupling aperture positioned to couple light out of the first waveguide between the first and second reflectors of the first waveguide, the first waveguide and first and second reflectors forming a cavity of a laser diode of the device;
• a second waveguide;
• wherein the first end of the second waveguide is optically connected to the first waveguide at a first location between the first reflector of the first waveguide and the outcoupling aperture of the first waveguide;
• and
• wherein the second end of the second waveguide is optically connected to the first waveguide at a second location between the second reflector of the first waveguide and the outcoupling aperture of the first waveguide.

A laser diode system, comprising:

• a first waveguide having a first reflector at a first end of the first waveguide and a second reflector at a second end of the first waveguide, the first waveguide having an outcoupling aperture positioned to couple light out of the first waveguide at a location between the first and second reflectors of the first waveguide, the first waveguide and first and second reflectors forming a cavity of a laser diode of the device;
• a second waveguide;
• wherein the first waveguide has an electrical element connected thereto;
• wherein the first end of the second waveguide is optically connected to the first waveguide at a first location between the first reflector of the first waveguide and the outcoupling aperture of the first waveguide;
• wherein the second end of the second waveguide is optically connected to the first waveguide at a second location between the second reflector of the first waveguide and the outcoupling aperture of the first waveguide;
• and
• wherein light emitted at the outcoupling aperture is modulated by varying a voltage applied to the electrical element.