Silicon-based rib waveguide optical modulator
First Claim
1. An optical modulator comprising a waveguide region, the waveguide region having, for radiation of a predetermined wavelength, an optical transmission characteristic that is a function of an index of refraction of a first region comprised of silicon and an index of refraction of a second adjacent region comprised of an insulator, the waveguide region being confined substantially within the first region, wherein the first region is differentiated into a plurality of adjacent regions comprised of differing electrical conductivity type material for defining a three terminal electrical device, the three terminal electrical device operating to inject charge carriers into the first region for varying the index of refraction thereof such that the optical transmission characteristic of the waveguide region is varied.
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Abstract
An optical modulator [30] includes a waveguide region having, for radiation of a predetermined wavelength such as 1.3 microns, a variable optical transmittance characteristic. The optical transmittance characteristic is a function of a difference between an index of refraction of a first region [36] comprised of silicon having a first type of electrical conductivity and an index of refraction of a second adjacent region [34] comprised of an insulator such as a silicon dioxide. The modulator further includes a third region [38], also comprised of silicon, disposed adjacent to the first region. The third region has a second type of electrical conductivity for forming a p-n junction with the first region. Charge carriers are injected into the first region for varying the index of refraction thereof such that the optical transmittance characteristic of the waveguide region is varied.
71 Citations
18 Claims
- 1. An optical modulator comprising a waveguide region, the waveguide region having, for radiation of a predetermined wavelength, an optical transmission characteristic that is a function of an index of refraction of a first region comprised of silicon and an index of refraction of a second adjacent region comprised of an insulator, the waveguide region being confined substantially within the first region, wherein the first region is differentiated into a plurality of adjacent regions comprised of differing electrical conductivity type material for defining a three terminal electrical device, the three terminal electrical device operating to inject charge carriers into the first region for varying the index of refraction thereof such that the optical transmission characteristic of the waveguide region is varied.
- 11. An optical modulator comprising a waveguide region, the waveguide region having, for radiation of a predetermined wavelength, an optical transmission characteristic that is a function of an index of refraction of a first region, comprised of silicon having a first type of electrical conductivity, and an index of refraction of a second adjacent region comprised of an insulator, the waveguide region being confined at least partially within the first region, the modulator further comprising a third region also comprised of silicon disposed adjacent to the first region such that the first region is interposed between the second and the third regions, the third region including a plurality of p-n junctions vertically disposed one above another for injecting charge carriers into the first region for varying the index of refraction thereof such that the optical transmission characteristic of the waveguide region is varied.
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17. A interferometer having at least two optical transmission paths, a first one of the optical transmission paths comprising:
a waveguide region having, for radiation of a predetermined wavelength, an optical transmission characteristic that is a function of an index of refraction of a first region comprised of silicon and an index of refraction of an underlying region comprised of an insulator, the waveguide region being confined substantially within the first region, the first region being differentiated into a plurality of adjacent regions comprised of differing electrical conductivity type material for defining a three terminal electrical device, the three terminal electrical device operating to inject charge carriers into the first region for varying the index of refraction thereof such that the optical transmission characteristic of the waveguide region is varied. - View Dependent Claims (18)
Specification