Membrane multiple quantum well electro-optical modulator employing low loss high-k radio-frequency slot waveguides

A membrane multiple quantum well (MQW) electro-optical (EO) modulator exploiting low loss high-k radio-frequency (RF) slot waveguides is proposed for sub-terahertz bandwidth. By employing high-k barium titanate (BTO) claddings in place of doped InP cladding layers in traditional InP-based MQW modulators, the proposed modulator exhibits enhanced modulation efficiency and bandwidth as well as reduced insertion loss. A low half-wave voltage-length product of 0.24 V.cm is estimated, together with over 240 GHz bandwidth for a 2-mm-long modulation region, thus allowing sub-terahertz operation. (C) 2022 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

A membrane multiple quantum well electro-optical modulator using high-k radio-frequency slot waveguides is proposed for sub-terahertz bandwidth, offering improved modulation efficiency and bandwidth, as well as reduced insertion loss.