Optical Semiconductor Element High-Speed Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical semiconductor elements struggle to achieve fast modulation of output light with excellent light condensing ability and wide spectrum, as simply replacing configurations does not effectively address the need for high-speed modulation.
Innovation Solution
An optical semiconductor element with a double heterostructure optical waveguide body, featuring specific electrode configurations and separation regions, allows for the application of forward and reverse biases to generate output light with excellent light condensing ability and wide spectrum, and enables high-speed modulation by alternately applying biases to different regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a laser diode section is physically separated from an optical modulation section by a cleavage, then fast modulation capability is improved, but light condensing ability and spectrum quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide body is segmented into three distinct functional regions (first region for light generation, second region for optical loss, third region for modulation) that are electrically separated by ion injection regions. This allows each region to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system integration, resolving the contradiction between fast modulation and light quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical waveguide body are assigned different electrical and optical properties: the first region is optimized for light generation with forward bias, the second region provides optical loss with reverse bias, and the third region enables high-speed modulation. This local differentiation allows each region to excel at its specific function while maintaining overall system performance.
2Reliability
If an end-face light emitting diode configuration is used, then light condensing ability and spectrum quality are improved, but fast modulation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into three electrically separated regions within a single integrated structure. The first region maintains excellent light condensing ability and wide spectrum characteristics, while the third region provides fast modulation capability. The ion injection regions enable electrical separation without physical cleavage, allowing both functions to coexist in one integrated device.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of separating functions spatially through physical cleavage (one-dimensional separation), the invention uses electrical separation through ion injection regions while maintaining physical continuity of the optical waveguide (three-dimensional integration). This allows light to propagate continuously through all regions while electrical control is differentiated, enabling both high light quality and fast modulation.
3Speed
If the optical waveguide body is electrically separated into multiple regions, then fast modulation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light, provides gain in the first region, creates optical loss in the second region, and enables modulation in the third region. The ion injection regions serve dual purposes of electrical separation and functional differentiation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, offsetting the increased internal complexity with overall system simplification.
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 optical semiconductor element generates output light with superior light condensing ability and wide spectrum while preventing optical loss across all bands, enabling high-speed modulation without generating optical loss, thus addressing the challenge of fast modulation.
Implementation Method 1
an optical waveguide body configured as a double heterostructure including an active layer and a first clad layer and a second clad layer between which the active layer is interposed
Implementation Method 2
the optical waveguide body includes a first separation region that electrically separates a first region under the first electrode from a second region under the second electrode and a second separation region that electrically separates the first region under the first electrode and a third region under the third electrode
Implementation Method 3
an optical waveguide body that is configured as a double heterostructure including an active layer
Data Source
AI summary
An optical semiconductor element includes: an optical waveguide body; a first electrode that is disposed on the second clad layer; a second electrode that is disposed on a second clad layer on one side of the first electrode in a light guiding direction of the optical waveguide body; a third electrode that is disposed on the second clad layer on the other side of the first electrode in the light guiding direction; and at least one fourth electrode that faces the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode with the optical waveguide body interposed therebetween. The optical waveguide body includes a first separation region that electrically separates a first region under the first electrode from a second region under the second electrode and a second separation region that electrically separates the first region under the first electrode and a third region under the third electrode.