High frequency attenuated total internal reflection light modulator

Abstract

The modulation efficiency and bandwidth limitations of a new type of light modulator, the attenuated total internal reflection modulator (ATRM), are described. The ATRM is based on coupling a light beam to a surface plasmon wave, and its fabrication is compatible with GaAs integrated circuit technology. We demonstrate modulation to 22 GHz (the extrapolated 1.5 dB optical modulation bandwidth is 26 GHz) and show that devices with high modulation index can be built using existing materials.

Polymeric electrooptic light modulator based on grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance

“…[4][5][6] When a monochromatic, p-polarized beam of light is incident on a metal-dielectric interface at an appropriate angle, energy from the light can be coupled into electrons in the metal. The incident angle for which the maximal coupling of light energy into the surface plasmons occurs is manifested by a sharp decrease in the reflected intensity of the incident beam.…”

“…Consequently, the surface plasmon resonance phenomenon (SPR) can be exploited to modulate the reflection of light via control of the factors that affect the resonance conditions such as the refractive index of dielectric medium and the angle of incidence or wavelength of the incident light. 5,6 However, it should be noted that the SPR phenomenon cannot be observed by illuminating on a planar metal surface, since the propagation constant of the surface plasmon is always greater than that of the incident light. 4 To achieve surface plasmon coupling resonance, the propagation constant of the incident light along the interface should be equal to that of the surface plasmon.…”

“…The light modulators reported during the last decade also used the prism coupled SPR method. [5][6][7] However, for optical applications, the gratingcoupled SPR method provides significant advantages over the prism-coupled method in terms of the size, the cost, the configuration flexibility, and easy integration with the circuit boards, the modules, the integrated circuits. Despite these advantages, its application has been limited because of the greater complexity of fabrication required to make the gratings.…”

Surface Optical Waves in Semi-Infinite One-Dimensional Photonic Crystals Containing Alternating Layers of Positive and Negative Media with a Cap Layer

“…Surface plasmons have already found use in a wide variety of areas such as nonlinear optics, optical modulators, and sensors [9,10]. In the case of the conventional materials the surface modes shift into higher frequencies as the incident light changes from normal to oblique incidence.…”

Optical Devices Based on Symmetrical Metal Cladding Waveguides

“…Controlling and guiding light with planar waveguide has a great potential to fabricate attractive optical devices such as modulators [1], filters [2] and sensors [3]. Although many studies use planar waveguide made of dielectric materials or semiconductors, metals also play an important role in this field.…”