Optically Bistable Multiple Quantum Well Phase Modulator Controlled by Self Electro-Optic Device.

In this dissertation a new type of optically bistable phase modulator is introduced. The proposed device consists of a self electro-optic effect device (SEED) and an electro -optic waveguide modulator. The property of a ridge waveguide modulator is theoretically calculated by considering the effect of an asymmetric and anisotropic refractive index. A SEED operating on the principle of the quantum confined Stark effect controls, through its electrical bistability, the bias voltage across an electro-optic waveguide phase modulator to produce optical bistability. An input signal at lambda = 0.846mum, corresponding to the first electron to the heavy hole exciton transition in a GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well, is used to control lambda = 1.152mum light propagating through a waveguide normal to the control beam. Optimization of optical bistability is achieved by simulating the device performance as a function of the wavelength of the control light and the waveguide modulator length.