Quantum Wells for Optical Processing Applications

17 August 1987

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Quantum wells (QWs), which can be made from alternate thin layers of two semiconductor materials, show a large electroabsorption called the quantum-confined Stark effect (QCSE). This made possible the realization of electrically controlled optical modulators, and optically controlled self electro-optic effect devices (SEED), that can operate at high speed and low energy density.