Asymmetric double-quantum-well phase modulator using surface acoustic waves

An AlGaAs-GaAs asymmetric double-quantum-well (DQW) optical phase modulator using surface acoustic waves is investigated theoretically. The optimization steps of the DQW structure, which so far have not been reported in detail, are discussed here. The optimized phase modulator structure is found to contain a five-period QDW active region. A surface acoustic wave induces a potential field which provides the phase modulation. Analysis of the modulation characteristics show that by using the asymmetric DQW, the large change of the induced potential at the surface and thus large modification of the quantum-well (QW) structure can be utilized. The modification of each QW structure is consistent, although this consistency is not always preserved in typical surface acoustic wave devices. Consequently, the change of refractive index in each of the five DQW's is almost identical. Besides, the change of effective refractive index is ten times larger here in comparison to a modulator with a five-period single QW as the active region and thus produces a larger phase modulation. In addition, a long wavelength and a low surface acoustic wave power required here simplify the fabrication of surface acoustic wave transducer and the acoustooptic phase modulator.