Polarization-independent waveguide modulators using 1.57 μm-strained InGaAs-InGaAsP quantum wells

Summary form only given. The performance of multiple quantum well (MQW) electroabsorption (EA) waveguide modulators based on the quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE) shows considerable promise due to the low drive voltage, enhanced excitonic absorption, and high-speed operation. Our approach uses a unique quantum well design that incorporates two thin highly tensile strained GaAs-strain layers in order to provide separate confinement, and effective well widths denoted L/sub lh/ and L/sub hh/, for the LH1 and HH1 wavefunctions respectively. This design maintains the degeneracy of the LH1 and HH1 energy levels, for polarization independent transmission, for potentially larger values of the electric field as compared to other approaches.