Patent ID: 7251381
Filing Date: 2007-07-31
Classification: B82Y,H01S

Abstract:
1. A single-mode optical device, including: a first region comprising an active region disposed between p-type and n-type cladding layers formed on a substrate, said first region including an elongated ridge at least a portion of which forms an electrical contact, and a second region laterally disposed about said ridge in said first region, said second region including an absorbing layer and an isolation layer disposed between said absorbing layer and said active region in said first region, said absorbing layer disposed on said isolation layer without any intervening layer therebetween, wherein said active layer generates an optical field, the thickness of said isolation layer being less than about 200 nm such that said optical field extends from said first region to said absorbing layer in said second region, causing absorption of said optical field by said absorbing layer in said second region and thereby suppresses one or more higher order lateral optical modes of said device relative to a fundamental lateral optical mode of said device.