A GaAs/AlGaAs asymmetric Fabry-Perot reflection modulator with very high contrast ratio

Performance results for a normally on, electroabsorptive, surface-normal Fabry-Perot reflection modulator are presented. The device employs a cavity with a 100 AA GaAs/100 AA Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As multiple quantum well and top and bottom quarter-wave mirrors with 4 and 19.5 periods, respectively. Very low values of off-state reflectance were measured, giving a maximum contrast ratio >1000 (30 dB) and a maximum reflectance difference of 64.3%. The contrast ratio is, to the authors' knowledge, the largest reported to date.<
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