Work

Wide spectral bandwidth electro-absorption modulator using coupled micro-cavity with asymmetric tandem quantum well

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: For reliable three dimensional (3D) imaging system, it is necessary for the optical shutter to have a wide spectral bandwidth operation and enhanced modulation depth. We propose an electro-absorption modulator (EAM) based on coupled Fabry-Perot cavities with micro-cavity (CCMC) which uses asymmetric tandem quantum wells (ATQWs) to obtain improved spectral bandwidth and enhanced modulation depth. Several modulator designs are investigated to obtain improved modulation performance such as wider spectral bandwidth and enhanced modulation depth. It was found that among all the studied modulator geometries, CCMC structure with ATQWs provides the widest spectral bandwidth of 9.6nm and high modulation depth in excess of 50% at -24V, which is good agreement with theoretical calculations. These results suggest that EAM has excellent potential as optical shutter for 3D imaging application.

Source: Optics Express

DOI: 10.1364/oe.20.019511