GHz modulators in the midinfrared using ultrahigh-confinement waveguides

Lawrence C. West; Charles W. Roberts; Emil C. Piscani; Madan Dubey; Kenneth A. Jones; George F. McLane

doi:10.1117/12.229959

10 January 1996 GHz modulators in the midinfrared using ultrahigh-confinement waveguides

Lawrence C. West, Charles W. Roberts, Emil C. Piscani, Madan Dubey, Kenneth A. Jones, George F. McLane

Proceedings Volume 2695, Functional Photonic and Fiber Devices; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.229959
Event: Photonics West '96, 1996, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

A high speed modulator at low voltage is created in the mid-infrared at 10 micrometers wavelengths by using field-induced absorption on otherwise forbidden intersubband transitions. The physical effects could scale to 1.5 micrometers wavelength light. This modulator is packaged into a unique 350 micrometers long ultra high confinement (UHC) waveguide for low capacitance and high speed. The modulator quantum wells are at the interface of a 2.1 micrometers thick by 3.75 micrometers wide UHC Ge waveguide and the GaAs substrate. The quantum wells have a 17% power coupling to the evanescent fields of the Ge waveguide. A connector to the UHC waveguides, with dimensions much smaller than a free space wavelength, has been developed and demonstrated using diffractive optical element arrays on the back side of the substrate and non-uniform grating couplers. Fields are applied across the modulator quantum wells via an ohmic contact to the side of the Ge waveguide on the top of the QWs. The ground is on the other side of the waveguide and lower towards the substrate. The 7 micrometers wide mesa supporting the quantum wells on the bottom of the Ge waveguide is slightly wider to accommodate a gold electrode.

Citation Download Citation

Lawrence C. West, Charles W. Roberts, Emil C. Piscani, Madan Dubey, Kenneth A. Jones, and George F. McLane "GHz modulators in the midinfrared using ultrahigh-confinement waveguides", Proc. SPIE 2695, Functional Photonic and Fiber Devices, (10 January 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.229959

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