Abstract

Lightwave communications are aided by external modulators for high-speed, chirp- free, intensity modulation. Chirp can be accurately controlled in interferometric modulators such as Mach-Zehnders (MZ). Increases in electro-optic efficiency in these devices will reduce active device length and directly translate into higher modulation bandwidth.¹ In this paper calculations are described which show how the choice of quantum well (QW) shape, in MZ devices employing electrorefraction due to the quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE), can be used to greatly improve device characteristics. Behavior superior to that based on electron transfer (BRAQWET) structures can be obtained.

© 1994 Optical Society of America