Abstract:
An optical switch (50) has a Silicon On Insulator (SOI) body (51) incorporating two optical waveguides (52, 53). The waveguides (52, 53) are arranged so that they cross one another to form a crossover (55). Insulating barriers (56, 57) are provided in the SOI body (51) that extend (vertically) from the upper surface (61) of the SOI body to the SiO 2 base layer (54). Importantly, a portion of at least one of the barriers (57) defines a boundary in the crossover (55). Light propagating along an input path of the first waveguide (52) can be reflected into the second waveguide (53) at the boundary in the crossover (55) when the refractive index of the crossover (55) differs on either side of the boundary. Electrodes (59, 60, 64) are provided on the upper surface (61) of the SOI body (51), in contact with n-type doped regions (62, 63) and a p-type doped region (65) forming a p-i-n diode through the crossover (55) on one side of the boundary. This allows free carriers to be injected into the crossover (55) to alter the refractive index of the crossover (55) on that side of the boundary, so allowing the amount of reflection at the boundary to be controlled. As the boundary is defined by the insulating barrier (57), free carriers are well contained at the boundary, resulting in a sharp change in refractive index at the boundary and good quality reflection characteristics in the switch (50).
Abstract:
A semiconductor optical waveguide device comprises a semiconductor rib waveguide comprising an elongate rib portion and slab regions on immediately adjacent opposite lateral sides of the rib portion, the rib portion extending above the slab regions, at least one of the slab regions including a recess spaced apart from the rib portion, an un-doped lateral wall of the recess providing a lateral boundary (referred to herein as "the recess lateral wall boundary") of the rib waveguide such that in use it laterally confines an optical wave propagated by the waveguide. One or more doped regions may be situated adjacent to the waveguide.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and a device for modulating optical signals based on modulating bending losses in bend, quantum well semiconductor waveguide sections. The complex refractive index of the optical active semiconducting components of the waveguide section is modulated by applying a variable electric or electronmagnetic field. The modulation of the complex refractive index results in a modulation of the refractive index contrast and the absorption coefficient for the waveguide at the frequency of the light. By carefully adjusting the composition of the semiconducting components and the applied electric field in relation to the frequency of the modulated radiation, the bending losses (and possibly coupling losses) will provide extinction of light guided by the bent waveguide section. The refractive index contract may be modulated while keeping the absorption coefficient substantially constant and small, whereby the guided light can be modulated only by bending losses. Alternatively, the invention may be applied to enhance the extinction ratio of existing absorption modulators such as Electro-Absorption Modulators (EAMs) in which case extinction by absorption and extinction by bendng losses co-operates to provide more compact modulators with improved performance (extinction) and speed.
Abstract:
High speed optical modulators can be made of a reverse biased lateral PN diode formed in a silicon rib optical waveguide disposed on a SOI or other silicon based substrate. A PN junction is formed at the boundary of the P and N doped regions. The depletion region at the PN junction overlaps with the center of a guided optical mode propagating through the waveguide. Electrically modulating a reverse biased lateral PN diode causes a phase shift in an optical wave propagating through the waveguide. Prior art forward biased PN and PIN diode modulators have been relatively low speed devices.
Abstract:
Novel methods and systems for waveguide fabrication and design are disclosed. Designs are described for fabricating ridge, buried and hybrid waveguides by a femtosecond pulsed laser. A laser system may combine a diode bar, a wavelength combiner and a waveguide. The waveguide may convert the electromagnetic radiation of an infrared laser into that the visible-wavelength range.
Abstract:
Novel methods and systems for waveguide fabrication and design are disclosed. Designs are described for fabricating ridge, buried and hybrid waveguides by a femtosecond pulsed laser. A laser system may combine a diode bar, a wavelength combiner and a waveguide. The waveguide may convert the electromagnetic radiation of an infrared laser into that the visible-wavelength range.
Abstract:
High speed optical modulators can be made of a reverse biased lateral PN diode formed in a silicon rib optical waveguide disposed on a SOI or other silicon based substrate. A PN junction is formed at the boundary of the P and N doped regions. The depletion region at the PN junction overlaps with the center of a guided optical mode propagating through the waveguide. Electrically modulating a reverse biased lateral PN diode causes a phase shift in an optical wave propagating through the waveguide. Prior art forward biased PN and PIN diode modulators have been relatively low speed devices.