Semiconductor optical waveguide type switch including light control means
US5329601A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/0126
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A semiconductor waveguide type all-optical switch of a simple structure which can switch at high speed with low switching energy. A waveguide is formed within a core layer made of a semiconductor for absorbing controlling light when an electric field is applied, and a pair of electrodes are formed for applying a voltage to a waveguide part where a refractive index change is to be caused. The controlling light together with controlled light is entered in the waveguide. When a voltage is applied, Franz-Keldysh effect causes the wavelength at the optical absorption spectrum edge in the refractive index change part to shift to the long wavelength side. If light of a wavelength satisfying a predetermined condition is used as the controlling light, the controlling light is absorbed only in the refractive index change part for changing the refractive index in the part, thus the controlled light is switched. Preferably, a p-i-n structure is adopted.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.