Patent ID: 6278822
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A method of using an optoelectronic device comprising an upper silicon layer and two optically connected waveguides that form part of the upper silicon layer, the method comprising:heating a first of the waveguides;cooling a second of the waveguides, thereby introducing a refractive index difference between the two waveguides and, consequently, a relative phase shift between light passing through the first and second waveguides, wherein the steps of heating the first of the waveguides and cooling the second of the waveguides comprise:(i) providing an electrical circuit comprising at least one pair of dissimilar materials, each of the dissimilar materials being positioned between the first and second waveguides, wherein each of the at least one pair of dissimilar materials comprises:an n-doped region of a semiconductor, anda p-doped region of a semiconductor, wherein the electrical circuit further comprises:metal tracking provided in electrical contact with the n- and p-doped regions; anddissimilar-material-junctions positioned at junctions between the metal tracking and each of the n- and p-doped regions, wherein the dissimilar-material-junctions are heated and cooled via the Peltier effect to bring about the heating and cooling of the waveguides; and(ii) passing an electrical current around the electrical circuit, including through the dissimilar materials, thereby effecting the heating of the first waveguide and the cooling of the second waveguide via the Peltier effect; andcooling the heated waveguide and heating the cooled waveguide such that the temperature of the waveguides is substantially equalized and substantially no relative phase shift exists between light passing through the first and second waveguides.