Optical carrier modulator by surface plasmons, based on semiconductor materials

摘要

The modulator has an assembly of semiconductor layers forming a multimode guiding structure for an incident optical wave (Oi) introduced into the guiding structure. The guiding structure ensures an asymmetrical confinement of the incident optical wave, and a Schottky contact (26) receives the optical wave allowing the generation of a plasmonic surface wave at the level of a metal/semiconductor interface. An optical index modulating module modulates an optical index at the level of the Schottky contact to create modulation of an optical wave (Om) reflected at the level of the interface.