High contrast ratio self-electro-optic effect devices based on inverted InGaAs/GaAs asymmetric Fabry–Perot modulator

Abstract
We demonstrate a new class of ‘‘normally off’’ high contrast ratio asymmetric Fabry–Perot (ASFP) reflection modulators based on a blue‐shift of the Fabry–Perot mode under bias. The negative differential resistance (NDR) exhibited by the photocurrent‐bias behavior was exploited to implement self‐electro‐optic devices (SEED) using as the load (a) a photodiode (D‐SEED), and (b) a phototransistor (T‐SEED). In the D‐SEED scheme, a contrast ratio of ∼50:1 with ∼20% throughput was realized. The T‐SEED configuration was found to offer nearly as high contrast ratio but with a ∼200:1 gain from the control light beam. Moreover, the ASFP modulators used belong to the inverted configuration which offers considerable convenience in device integration and optical interconnections.