On the figures of merit for electroabsorption waveguide modulators

Gamma Delta alpha /F and Delta alpha / alpha /sub 0/ (where Delta alpha is the absorption change, alpha /sub 0/ is the residual absorption, F is the applied electric field, and Gamma is the optical confinement factor in the waveguide) have been separately proposed as the relevant figure of merit for electroabsorption waveguide modulators. Using a quantitative and systematic argument, the authors show that they are both necessary and important to the total performance of the modulator.<
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