A modulator and method of fabrication thereof are provided. In various embodiments, the modulator is a Franz-Keldysh (FK) effect electro-absorption modulator. In an example embodiment, the modulator comprises a waveguide column formed from waveguide material deposited onto a substrate; a first contact layer doped with a P-type dopant and deposited on a first side of the waveguide column; a second contact layer doped with an N-type dopant and deposited on a second side of the waveguide column; and first and second contacts. The first contact is in electrical communication with the first contact layer and the second contact is in electrical communication with the second contact layer.