Patent ID: 11947202
Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 15:
16. A method of operating a modulator comprising a waveguide, the method comprising:
applying a voltage between electronically conductive vias positioned on a first side and a second side of a waveguide, the applying the voltage causing a current to circulate in a first layer coupled to the waveguide resulting in an increase in a temperature of the waveguide and a modification of an optical index of the waveguide, the waveguide being formed from a first material, the waveguide used to guide an optical signal, the waveguide having a third side adjacent to an insulating layer and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the first side and the second side being perpendicular to the third side, a second layer being disposed over the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side of the waveguide, the second layer being formed from a second material and electrically conductive and transparent to a wavelength of the optical signal, and
wherein the second layer is separated from the first side, the second side, the third side, the fourth side, or a combination thereof by a distance of less than half of the wavelength of the optical signal, or
wherein the second layer is in direct contact with the first side, the second side, the third side, the fourth side, or a combination thereof.