Patent ID: 6862376
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: B82Y,G02F

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing a monolithic expanded beam mode electroabsorption modulator which includes a substrate with a top surface and substrate index of refraction; a waveguide layer with a two expansion/contraction sections and an electroabsorption section arranged along a longitudinal axis; and a semiconductor layer, the method comprising the steps of: a) forming at least one patterned growth retarding layer on the top surface of the substrate; b) forming a waveguide layer having a waveguide index of refraction different from the substrate index of refraction on a portion of the top surface of the substrate by selective area growth, the waveguide layer including an electroabsorption portion having an electroabsorption thickness which is greater than thicknesses in other portions of the waveguide layer; c) forming the semiconductor layer on the waveguide layer, the semiconductor layer including a semiconductor layer index of refraction different from the waveguide index of refraction; d) defining and etching the waveguide layer and the semiconductor layer to form the two expansion/contraction sections and the electroabsorption section of the waveguide layer; e) forming a first electrical contact electrically coupled to the substrate; and forming a second electrical contact electrically coupled to the semiconductor layer.