Electronic semiconductor control of light in optical waveguide
First Claim
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1. A method for altering the propagation constant level of a region of changeable propagation constant of a waveguide in an optical device, the method comprising:
- positioning a planar electrode proximate the waveguide;
projecting a region of changeable propagation constant into the waveguide that substantially corresponds in shape to the planar electrode shape, by applying a voltage to the planar electrode; and
controlling a propagation constant level of the region of changeable propagation constant by varying the voltage.
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Abstract
An apparatus and associated method for altering the propagation constant of a region of changable propagation constant in an optical waveguide. The method comprising positioning an electrode of a prescribed electrode shape proximate the waveguide. An altered region of changable propagation constant is projected into the waveguides that correspond, in shape, to the prescribed electrode shape by applying a voltage to the shaped electrode. The propagation constant of the region of changable propagation constant is controlled by varying the voltage.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A method for altering the propagation constant level of a region of changeable propagation constant of a waveguide in an optical device, the method comprising:
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positioning a planar electrode proximate the waveguide;
projecting a region of changeable propagation constant into the waveguide that substantially corresponds in shape to the planar electrode shape, by applying a voltage to the planar electrode; and
controlling a propagation constant level of the region of changeable propagation constant by varying the voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An optical device for altering the propagation constant level of a region of changeable propagation constant of a waveguide, comprising:
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a gate electrode having a prescribed electrode shape positioned proximate the waveguide;
a voltage source connected to the electrode for applying voltage to the gate electrode, wherein the voltage causes the gate electrode to project into the waveguide a region of changeable propagation constant corresponding generally in shape to the prescribed shape of the gate electrode; and
a controller that controls the propagation constant level of the region of changeable propagation constant by varying the voltage applied to the gate electrode. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer readable medium containing software that controls a planar electrode having a prescribed shape positioned proximate a waveguide, said software when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform the steps of:
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projecting a region of changeable propagation constant into the waveguide that corresponds in shape to the prescribed shape, by applying a voltage to the electrode; and
controlling a propagation constant level of the region of changeable propagation constant by varying the voltage.
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26. An optical device that modifies an input optical signal in order to generate an output optical signal, comprising:
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a waveguide that includes an input port wherein the input optical signal is introduced into the waveguide, an output port wherein the output optical signal exits the waveguide, and a region of changeable propagation constant disposed along a length of the waveguide and between the input port and the output port, wherein the input optical signal is guided by total internal reflection in the waveguide, and the waveguide is formed at least in part from an active semiconductor;
a first electrode positioned proximate a first surface of the region of changeable propagation constant and electrically separated from the active semiconductor;
a second electrode in electrical contact with the active semiconductor and disposed on a first side of the region of changeable propagation constant;
a two-dimensional electron (hole) gas (2DEG) having a free carrier distribution that is formed on at least a portion of the first surface of the region of changeable propagation constant when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
wherein variation of the voltage causes a corresponding variation of the free carrier distribution which, in turn, causes corresponding variation of a propagation constant level in the region of changeable propagation constant. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. An optical device, comprising:
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a semiconductor structure comprising a waveguide that permits formation of an optical region extending within the waveguide substantially along an axis of propagation of light within the waveguide, the waveguide has a planar surface that extends within the semiconductor structure, and an electrode that is substantially parallel to the planar surface that can be electrically biased to either establish, or limit the formation of, a free carrier distribution layer along the planar surface;
wherein the electrode is mounted relative to, but electrically insulated from, the waveguide, wherein the free carrier distribution layer is formed by applying electrical potential to the electrode; and
a first body contact mounted relative to, and in electrical contact with, the waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A method for generating a changed output optical signal by passing an input optical signal through a waveguide, comprising:
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providing a gate electrode proximate the waveguide;
providing a body contact electrode proximate the waveguide;
applying the input optical signal to the waveguide;
applying a prescribed voltage to the gate electrode that generates a region of changeable propagation constant in the waveguide; and
generating the changed output optical signal in response to the input optical signal.
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Specification