HIGH-SPEED QUANTUM-WELL INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATORS FOR InP-BASED PHOTONIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS (Invited Paper).

We discuss high-speed waveguide modulators for optical fiber communications that employ semiconductor quantum wells, with emphasis on electrorefractive devices. The prime advantages of quantum-well material in this application are provided by enhanced electrooptic effects that allow ultracompact devices with low drive voltage requirements. The small size is particularly important for low-cost monolithic integration with other components for guided-wave photonic integrated circuits. In our devices, compactness is also key for obtaining high electrical modulation bandwidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]