Modulator for analog applications

摘要

The invention in one aspect is an optical modulator (13) which includes a waveguide region (14) of semiconductor material. In order to achieve a gradual, essentially linear transfer function, the bandgap of the waveguide region is graded along the direction of light propogation (Z) or perpendicular thereto (X). In accordance with another aspect, the invention is an electroabsorption modulated laser (10) where the portion of the waveguide region defining the modulator has a graded bandgap. In accordance with a method aspect, the waveguide region of the modulator is grown using a mask (30-33) having a varying width to achieve the graded bandgap. <IMAGE>