MMIC based optical modulator design

The basic motivation for research described was the merging of photonic and microwave components for devices on a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) substrate. The work presented concerns the development of an optical output port. The function of an optical output port is to bring information out of the MMIC by optical means. The concept introduced here involves sending an optical carrier via a fiber to the GaAs chip where the MMIC-generated information is superimposed on the optical carrier. Finally, the coded optical signal is brought out of the chip via the fiber for processing or routing onward as necessary. This requires the development of an MMIC-based external optical modulator, which is described. An analytical study with computer simulation of this structure was carried out. The results are reported.<>