Patent · US Active

Integrated electro-absorption modulator

US9411177B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
3References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 17, 2015
Grant dateAug 9, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 17, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An integrated optical device includes an electro-absorption modulator disposed on a top surface of an optical waveguide. The electro-absorption modulator includes germanium disposed in a cavity between an n-type doped silicon sidewall and a p-type doped silicon sidewall. By applying a voltage between the n-type doped silicon sidewall and the p-type doped silicon sidewall, an electric field can be generated in a plane of the optical waveguide, but perpendicular to a propagation direction of the optical signal. This electric field shifts a band gap of the germanium, thereby modulating the optical signal.

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