High-performance optical modulators based on stepped quantum wells

H. Mohseni; W. K. Chan; H. An; A. Ulmer; D. Capewell

doi:10.1117/12.640530

28 February 2006 High-performance optical modulators based on stepped quantum wells

H. Mohseni, W. K. Chan, H. An, A. Ulmer, D. Capewell

Proceedings Volume 6127, Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices III; 61270D (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.640530
Event: Integrated Optoelectronic Devices 2006, 2006, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

High-speed and high-performance optical phase and amplitude modulators are critical components of many photonic systems. Semiconductor-based modulators are very attractive, since they can be monolithically integrated with other semiconductor devices. Unfortunately, the commonly used modulators based on square quantum wells have inherent properties that limit their modulation performance. We present a new class of quantum wells called "stepped quantum wells" (SQW) with extra degrees of freedom that can be used to design high performance optical modulators. We demonstrated SQW phase modulators with nearly one order of magnitude higher efficiency than their counterparts. Also, linearized modulators based on SQW with more than two orders of magnitude higher linearity than the existing semiconductor modulators are presented. Finally, high-performance surface-normal modulators based on SQWs with nearly two times better efficiency and 7 dB higher extinction ratio compared with the conventional devices with rectangular and coupled-quantum well active layers are demonstrated.

Citation Download Citation

H. Mohseni, W. K. Chan, H. An, A. Ulmer, and D. Capewell "High-performance optical modulators based on stepped quantum wells", Proc. SPIE 6127, Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices III, 61270D (28 February 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.640530

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available