Surface-normal electroabsorption modulators
 High-speed optoelectronic modulators with large apertures
Acreo has developed vertical-cavity electroabsorption modulators (with lateral dimension from 40µm to 15mm) operating at up to 10Gb/s for free-space optical communication and high-speed signal processing applications. Based on mature III-V technologies, single-element large-aperture modulators have been succesfully tested at 850nm and 1550nm for different industrial partners. The components offer unique performance in terms of high modulation speeds combined with large apertures.
Proven technology
Acreo’s vertical-cavity electroabsorption modulators capitalise on mature III-V technologies developed for commercially-available waveguide electroabsorption modulators, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and quantum well infrared photodetectors (in-house production at Acreo).
Easy to connect
Large apertures and absence of waveguiding structure make surface-normal modulator easy to connect to optical fibres or other optical waveguides by butt-coupling, and perfectly suited to free-space optical systems. Surface-normal electroabsorption modulators have low insertion losses (1 to 3 dB) and very low polarisation sensitivity (none for normal incident light).
Excellent modulation performance
Owing to intrinsic material properties, vertical-cavity electroabsorption modulators offers unique performance in terms of modulation speed combined with large apertures, several orders of magnitude larger than alternative technologies such as liquid crystals and MEMS. Contrast ratios up to 300:1 have been demonstrated in our labs.
Low cost
Surface-normal devices offer wafer-based characterisation possibilities, leading to lower fabrication costs than edge-operating devices. The structure and fabrication processes of surface-normal modulators are similar to LED’s and VCSEL’s ones and are compatible with high-volume production.
Custom design
Different structure and component designs are already available at operating wavelengths around 850nm and 1550nm. Custom devices can be fabricated on demand, and require short development periods around these operating wavelengths. Prototype devices operating at other wavelength ranges (UV and long IR) are currently under development. Other wavelength areas can also be investigated on demand.
Potential applications
Free-space optical communication, microwave photonics (radio-over-fibre), optical signal processing in radar and telecom systems.
Contact us to discuss performance and applications of surface-normal electroabsorption modulators.
Recent publications
- Qin Wang, Stéphane Junique, Daniel Ågren, Bertrand Noharet, and Jan Y. Andersson, “Fabry-Perot electroabsorption modulators for high-speed free-space optical communication”, IEEE Photonic Technology Letters, Vol. 16, No. 6, pp. 1471-1473, 2004
- Bertrand Noharet, Qin Wang, Stéphane Junique, Daniel Ågren and Susanne Almqvist, ”Multiple quantum well spatial light modulators for optical signal processing”, Conference on Photonics and Integrated Optics in RF Systems, Proc. SPIE Vol. 5618, 2004
- Qin Wang, Stéphane Junique, Daniel Ågren, Susanne Almqvist and Bertrand Noharet, "Arrays of vertical-cavity electroabsorption modulators for parallel signal processing," Opt. Express 13, 3323-3330, 2005
- Emil Hallstig, Johan Öhgren, Lars Allard, Lars Sjöqvist, David Engström, Sverker Hård, Daniel Ågren, Stephane Junique, Qin Wang and Bertrand Noharet, ”Retrocommunication utilizing electroabsorption modulators and non-mechanical beam steering”, Optical Engineering, Vol. 44, No. 4, 2005
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