Simulation of dynamic performance of a waveguide multiquantum-well electroabsorption modulator

Describes the use of a computer model to simulate a multiquantum-well electroabsorption modulator under R.F. modulation. Particular emphasis is placed on the chirp performance of the device for applications in high bit-rate (10 Gbit/s), long haul (>100 km) communications in non-dispersion shifted fibre. The work has highlighted the importance of operating wavelength relative to the bandedge and has shown that a 3dB improvement in dispersion penalty is possible by operating closer to the bandedge. A novel device is proposed and simulated in which there are quantum wells of different dimensions such that the device simultaneously operates in two distinct regimes. This has enabled a trade off against the increased insertion loss close to the bandedge.<
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