Mach-Zehnder Switch Using an Ultra-Compact Directional Coupler in a Strongly-Confining Rib Structure

C. F. Janz, B. P. Keyworth, R. I. MacDonald, W. Allegretto, M. Fallahi, G. Hillier, C. Rolland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

A quantum well Mach-Zehnder switch operating at 1. 55 μm, fabricated in a strongly-confining rib waveguide structure, and employing a multi-mode 3-dB output coupler only 40 μm long, is described. The device yields almost 10 dB of contrast between outputs at 3 V bias, with 4.3 dB of excess coupler loss. The total cleaved device length is only 1.5 mm, and high bandwidth (15 GHz) operability is anticipated. A simple computer model of the coupler is in good agreement with the measured results, and predicts enhanced performance with a small increase in the coupler length.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)981-983
Number of pages3
JournalIEEE Photonics Technology Letters
Volume6
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1994
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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