Novel photonic switch arrays consisting of vertically integrated multiple-quantum-well reflection modulators and phototransistors: excitation absorptive reflection switch

The authors report a novel photonic switch array, the exciton absorptive reflection switch (EARS), which operates as an optical three-terminal switch with a high contrast ratio and optical gain. The device consists of vertically integrated GaAs/AlGaAs multiple-quantum-well modulators and GaAs heterojunction phototransistors, which are optically isolated and electrically connected in series with distributed Bragg reflectors. 8*8 arrays of EARS with a contrast ratio of more than 20 dB and a high optical gain were demonstrated.<>