Title :
Superlattice surface-normal asymmetric Fabry-Perot reflection modulators: optical modulation and switching
Author :
Law, Kwok-Keung ; Mertz, J.L. ; Coldren, Larry A.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., California Univ., Santa Barbara, CA, USA
fDate :
2/1/1993 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The surface-normal asymmetric Fabry-Perot reflection modulators discussed are based on the electroabsorption stemming from the effective absorption edge blue shift caused by Wannier-Stark localization in superlattices. Due to the modulator´s normally off characteristics at the Fabry-Perot resonance, they exhibit negative differential photoconductivity. When the modulator is connected to a similar modulator or a simple photodiode, the negative differential photoconductance at resonance enables the modulator to operate as a self-electrooptic effect device (SEED) that shows clear bistable loops, and also has very large on-off ratios at its output. The operating principle of these modulators and SEEDs, and their sensitivity to variations of operating wavelengths, layer thickness and composition, and temperature are discussed
Keywords :
SEEDs; Stark effect; electro-optical devices; electroabsorption; integrated optics; light reflection; optical bistability; optical modulation; optical switches; photoconducting devices; semiconductor superlattices; SEED; Wannier-Stark localization; bistable loops; composition; effective absorption edge blue shift; electroabsorption; layer thickness; negative differential photoconductivity; on-off ratios; operating wavelengths; optical modulation; photodiode; resonance; self-electrooptic effect device; superlattices; surface-normal asymmetric Fabry-Perot reflection modulators; switching; temperature; Absorption; Fabry-Perot; Optical interconnections; Optical modulation; Optical reflection; Optical resonators; Optical surface waves; Optical waveguides; Resonance; Superlattices;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
