Analysis of semiconductor intersectional waveguide optical switch-modulator

Transmission and reflection characteristics and wavelength chirping of a guided mode in a semiconductor intersectional optical switch-modulator are analyzed by considering the electric field-induced refractive index variation along with the absorption loss variation. The refractive index and absorption ratio, alpha /sub p/, is shown to determine the performance of the switch-modulator. A transmission port is suitable for a modulation with a high extinction ratio, low insertion loss, and small wavelength chirping. The insertion loss at the reflection port depends heavily on alpha /sub p/. A low insertion loss and high extinction ratio intersectional optical switch is possible when - alpha /sub p/ is higher than 10, which can be realized with a quantum box structure.<
>