Improved efficiency Si-photonic attenuator

A forward-biased p-i-n diode integrated with a ridge waveguide forms a basic Si attenuator building block. Disruptive power improvement was achieved through a recessed contact configuration by limiting the amount of Si volume for carrier recombination. A device model was established by using realistic surface recombination velocities instead of effective carrier lifetime concept to understand the device physics of the afore-mentioned Si attenuator. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America