Waveguide-Type Optical Modulator of GaAs Quantum Well Double Heterostructures Using Electric Field Effect on Exciton Absorption

Abstract

This letter describes a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well (QW) waveguide-type optical modulator utilizing an electric field effect on two-dimensional exciton absorption. The waveguide modulator has the same structure as QW laser diodes, and is therefore suitable for monolithic integration with a laser diode. Optical modulation was measured up to 1 Gbit/s at a driving voltage as low as 1.4 V. The 3 dB-down modulation rate was 900 Mbit/s, but higher speed operation is expected.