Method and apparatus for modulating an optical beam in an optical device

• Main Author: LIU, ANSHENG
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2006
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPTICAL OPERATION OF WHICH ISMODIFIED BY CHANGING THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIUM OF THEDEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE INTENSITY,COLOUR, PHASE, POLARISATION OR DIRECTION OF LIGHT, e.g.SWITCHING, GATING, MODULATING OR DEMODULATING; FREQUENCY-CHANGING; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS; OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICS; PHYSICS; TECHNIQUES OR PROCEDURES FOR THE OPERATION THEREOF

An apparatus and method for modulating an optical beam. In one embodiment, a method according to embodiments of the present invention includes splitting first and second optical beams having first wavelength and second wavelengths, respectively, into split first and second optical beams that co-propagate through first and second waveguides disposed in semiconductor material. The first optical beam having a signal encoded thereon. Free charge carriers are generated in response to the signal encoded on the first optical beam in first and second multiple quantum well (MQW) p-i-n structures disposed in the first and second waveguides, respectively. The split second optical beams are phase shifted in response to the generated free charge carriers in the first and second MQW p-i-n structures. The phase shifted split second optical beams are combined to modulate the second optical beam.