Electro-Optic Modulator Depletion Region Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance electronic devices face limitations in transmission speed due to electrical transmission lines, necessitating the use of optical transmission to enhance speed while also reducing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optic modulator is designed with a semiconductor substrate, featuring a core region with low and high concentration doping regions and slab regions, allowing for control of the depletion region width via applied voltage to manage optical signal transmission efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If optical transmission is used to increase transmission speed, then speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core region is segmented into multiple doping regions (first low concentration, first high concentration, second high concentration, second low concentration) arranged in sequence, allowing independent control of depletion regions to manage optical signals while maintaining structural organization
Solution Approach 2:
The depletion region width is dynamically controlled by adjusting the reverse bias voltage applied between the first and second low concentration doping regions, enabling real-time modulation of optical signal transmission through the waveguide
2Productivity
If depletion region width is controlled to optimize optical signal transmission, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The doping concentrations are specifically optimized with low concentration regions (1×10^16 to 1×10^18 atoms/cm³) and high concentration regions (1×10^18 to 1×10^20 atoms/cm³) to achieve effective depletion region control at lower reverse bias voltages, reducing power consumption while maintaining high operation speed
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modulator increases operational speed and decreases power consumption by effectively controlling the depletion region width, thereby optimizing optical signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
An electro-optic modulator converts a transmission electrical signal to a transmission optical signal
Implementation Method 2
The width of a depletion region included in the core region may be controlled based on the operating voltage applied between the first low concentration doping region and the second low concentration doping region
Implementation Method 3
The core region may act as a waveguide for optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-optic modulator includes a semiconductor substrate, a core region and slab regions. The core region is formed on the semiconductor substrate and includes a first low concentration doping region, a second low concentration doping region and a high concentration doping region formed between the first low concentration doping region and the second low concentration doping region. Slab regions are formed on the semiconductor substrate. The slab regions are in contact with the core region. A width of a depletion region included in the core region may be controlled based on a reverse bias voltage applied between the first low concentration doping region and the second low concentration doping region. If the width of a depletion region is controlled, an optical signal transmitted through the depletion region may be controlled. The electro-optic modulator according to example embodiments may increase an operation speed and decrease a power consumption of a system.