Blue shift of the absorption edge in AlGaInAs-GaInAs superlattices: Proposal for an original electro-optical modulator

Abstract

The modulation by an external electric field of the resonant tunneling coupling between adjacent wells in a thin layer superlattice results in a blue shift of the effective absorption edge. We present a study of the electroabsorption in Al0.24Ga0.24In0.52As-Ga0.47 In0.53 As superlattices, which evidence directly this remarkable effect, and we discuss its application to the design of new electro-optical modulators.