High-speed optical modulation and bistability with semiconductor Multiple Quantum Wells (MQWs).
01 January 1986
A new technology for opto-electronics has been developed, semiconductor Multiple Quantum Wells (MQWs). These MQWs, which are extremely thin (~100angstroms) heterostructures, have properties greatly enhanced over conventional semiconductors. For example, we have fabricated a 150micron long optical modulator with an on/off ratio of 10:1, and used it to generate an optical impulse less than 100 ps long. This technology is compatible with existing source and detector material systems, and produces devices that are compact, high speed, and suitable for integration.