Patent · US Expired

Monolithic electro-optic modulator array

US4744616A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
4References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 25, 1985
Grant dateMay 17, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 25, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F2203/24
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A PIN GaAlAs diode structure is provided with parameters for index guiding of light in a single mode. The index of refraction of the central layer I (which in practice may be lightly doped .pi. or .nu.) is greater than the p- and n-layers to create a slab waveguide in the transverse direction. Stripe contacts define separate waveguide channels that are separated electrically and optically by implanting protons or etching grooves between the stripe contacts in the upper layer. Separate reverse biasing voltages may be applied to the stripe contacts for modulation of the light in proportions to the voltage, either with absorption modulation, if the light wavelength is within about 500.ANG. of the bandgap of the .pi.-material, or phase-delay modulation, if the wavelength is separated from the bandgap of the .pi.-material by at least 900.ANG..

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.