A Mach-Zehnder interferometric switch with a 0.2 Vmm voltage length product

We have developed a 2*2 Mach Zehnder interferometric switch employing laterally contacted hetero n-i-p-i quantum wells for providing refractive index changes. We observe switching over a 4 pi range with an on/off ratio of 17:1. A differential switching voltage as low as 0.2 V.mm is observed in the push-pull configuration. It is the objective of the present paper to reduce the switching voltage-length product of a Mach-Zehnder interferometric switch by exploiting the advantages of a hetero n-i-p-i quantum well structure for providing refractive index changes in the arms of a Mach Zehnder interferometer switc

Novel integrated tunable laser using filtered feedback for simple and very fast tuning

We present a novel integrated tunable laser based on filtered feedback, which combines a simple tuning method with ns switching speed

Integrated filtered-feedback tunable laser with enhanced control of feedback phase

Recently we presented a novel discretely tunable laser that consists of a Fabry-Perot laser which was forced to operate in single-mode condition by applying on-chip filtered feedback. The laser switches extremely fast (3 ns) and requires simple on/off control currents to switch the wavelength. In these first devices it was not possible to control the phase of the feedback light independently from the feedback intensity. In was solved by adding an extra electrode allowing us to control the phase separately. In this paper we present the new device and study the effect of the control ofthefeedbackphase in order to improve the performance ofthe original tunable laser concept

Integrated filtered-feedback tunable laser with enhanced control of feedback phase

Recently we presented a novel discretely tunable laser that consists of a Fabry-Perot laser which was forced to operate in single-mode condition by applying on-chip filtered feedback. The laser switches extremely fast (3 ns) and requires simple on/off control currents to switch the wavelength. In these first devices it was not possible to control the phase of the feedback light independently from the feedback intensity. In was solved by adding an extra electrode allowing us to control the phase separately. In this paper we present the new device and study the effect of the control ofthefeedbackphase in order to improve the performance ofthe original tunable laser concept

The 243 steps of making photonic integrated circuits in InP

The fabrication ofInP-based Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) is a complex process. The process used in the COBRA cleanroom in Eindhoven consists of 13 deposition, 10 lithography, 14 dry- and 7 wet-etching steps. Together with the intermediate cleaning, preparation and inspection procedures, the total process flow consists of 243 steps. In this paper we show how we created a robust modular process flow that can be usedfor a large variety of active- and passive circuits. These circuits can be fabricated together in multi-project wafer runs, allowing a drastic reduction of the fabrication costs making even small-volume production economicallyfeasible

The 243 steps of making photonic integrated circuits in InP

The fabrication ofInP-based Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) is a complex process. The process used in the COBRA cleanroom in Eindhoven consists of 13 deposition, 10 lithography, 14 dry- and 7 wet-etching steps. Together with the intermediate cleaning, preparation and inspection procedures, the total process flow consists of 243 steps. In this paper we show how we created a robust modular process flow that can be usedfor a large variety of active- and passive circuits. These circuits can be fabricated together in multi-project wafer runs, allowing a drastic reduction of the fabrication costs making even small-volume production economicallyfeasible

Polarization stabilization in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers through asymmetric current injection

We present experimental evidence that asymmetric current injection in intracavity contacted vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) stabilizes the polarization of the emitted light. Anisotropies in the gain and loss mechanisms introduced by asymmetric current injection are considered to explain this effect. The design scheme opens perspectives to obtain actual polarization control in VCSEL

Fabrication and characterization of pillar-based photonic crystal waveguides

We present the fabrication and optical characterization of waveguides in photonic crystals based on pillars. The waveguides were integrated in a classical photonic integrated circuit in InP technology. Photonic crystal waveguides of varying lengths were fabricated and measured. From 2D band diagram simulations, two different defect radii were selected while keeping the background photonic crystal the same. The waveguide with the larger defect radius (rdefect = 210 nm) shows lower coupling losses than the waveguide with rdefect = 170 nm. This is in agreement with simulations on the photonic crystal waveguides

InP-based two-dimensional photonic crystals filled with polymers

Polymer filling of the air holes of Indium Phosphide based two-dimensional photonic crystals is reported. After infiltration of the holes with a liquid monomer and solidification of the infill in situ by thermal polymerization, complete filling is proven using scanning electron microscopy. Optical transmission measurements of a filled photonic crystal structure exhibit a redshift of the air band, confirming the complete filling.Comment: To be published in Appl. Phys. Let