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Waveguiding and Electrooptic Modulation of Light with GaAs Epitaxial Thin Films

Citation

Hall, David Barnett (1971) Waveguiding and Electrooptic Modulation of Light with GaAs Epitaxial Thin Films. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/V28G-M218. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05042018-121029705

Abstract

Guiding and electrooptic modulation of light at 1;15μ from a HeNe laser has been achieved in a thin film semiconductor waveguide.The guide was composed of a thin (~ 10μ) epitaxial film of GaAs sandwiched between a GaAs substrate and an evaporated aluminum coating.The slightly higher refractive index of the guide relative to the substrate allowed the propagation of one single optical TM mode and one single optical TM mode. Large electric fields generated in the epitaxial film by applying a voltage to the aluminum coating, induced an electrooptic change in the refractive index and a consequent modulation of the guided light.

An important new effect, optical mode propagation cut-off, was discovered. Calculations showed that no guided modes propagated below a threshold value of the refractive index difference between guide film and substrate; above· that value guiding occurred. This was observed when samples were switched from a non-guiding "off" state to a guiding "on" state by applying a modulation voltage that increased the refractive index of the guide, making it go through cut-off.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Physics
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Yariv, Amnon
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:19 May 1971
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
U.S. Office of Naval ResearchUNSPECIFIED
U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific ResearchUNSPECIFIED
CaltechUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:05042018-121029705
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05042018-121029705
DOI:10.7907/V28G-M218
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:10847
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By:INVALID USER
Deposited On:07 May 2018 20:29
Last Modified:31 Jul 2020 20:47

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