Proposal for quantum-dot electroabsorption modulator

Quantum-dot, electroabsorption materials are proposed to obtain low internal loss, large absorption modulation, and negative alpha parameters (blue chirped pulses). These characteristics come from the discrete state absorption associated with three dimensional confinement in quantum dots compared to the band absorption of quantum well, quantum wire, and bulk materials. In addition, type II quantum-dot structures are also proposed to obtain the same optical modulation characteristics with the potential for greater immunity to saturation effects.