GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well field-induced optical waveguide

Electrically controllable optical waveguides have been created by using only the increase in refractive index from linear and quadratic electro-optic effects in GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well substrates for the first time. Unlike conventional fixed waveguides, lateral guiding of this field-induced guide (FIG) can be turned on and off, so that the confinement factor, propagation constant, and net loss can be adjusted over wide ranges electrically. This special property plus a very simple fabrication process suggest that the FIG could be an important base technology for photonic integrated circuits.