Coupled quantum well optical intensity modulator for INP based optoelectronic integrated circuits and methods therefor

摘要

An integrated optical intensity modulator. The modulator is an optical waveguide on a semi-insulating substrate and having a core layer for transmitting an optical signal. The modulator includes contiguous the core layer an active cladding which has a multicoupled quantum well structure. The multicoupled quantum well includes at least one pair of quantum wells separated by a barrier. The modulator further includes first and second additional claddings wherein the core layer and the active cladding are interposed between the additional claddings. A voltage source generates an electric field through the active cladding which varies the refractive index of the active cladding as a function of the strength of the electric field for modulating the optical signal.