Patent ID: 7095938
Filing Date: 2006-08-22
Classification: G02B,H01L

Abstract:
1. A monolithically integrated semiconductor waveguide device with active and passive semiconductor waveguide portions comprising: a passive waveguide portion for single-mode guiding of light propagating therein, and an active waveguide portion provided by disposing additional layers which form a PIN structure on top of the passive waveguide portion, the active waveguide portion having waveguide properties substantially similar to those of the passive waveguide portion with the exception of a mode tail above a top surface of the passive waveguide portion within the active waveguide portion, such that, in use, an optical signal propagating within the active waveguide portion penetrates an I-layer of the PIN structure and interacts with semiconductor material therein for actively affecting an intensity of the optical signal with no substantial changes in guiding properties of the semiconductor waveguide wherein, the active portion and the passive portion are single mode ridge waveguides such that a P-contact to the PIN structure is disposed on a top surface in the active portion and an N-contact to the PIN structure is disposed on the top surface of the passive portion, at one or both ends of the active portion.