Wannier-Stark localization in a 1.55 mu m InGaAs/InAlAs superlattice waveguide modulator structure

The authors present an optical waveguide modulator structure based on Wannier-Stark localization in a InGaAs-InAlAs superlattice. Optical waveguide transmission below the superlattice bandgap displays expected F/sup -1/ oscillatory behavior leading to various modulation schemes. An 11 dB extinction ratio was obtained by applying a 0.7 V drive voltage to a 100 mu m long waveguide device operating at 1.55 mu m under a transverse-electric (TE)-polarization mode. On-state attenuation was 5 dB. Lower open-state attenuation (3 dB) can be obtained simultaneously with a higher extinction ratio (13 dB) but in that case a larger drive voltage (1.6 V) is needed.<
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