To implement millimeter wave photonic links using high speed optical modulators, RF input efficiency to the modulator is an important consideration. In this paper we discuss design and fabrication of ultra high speed multiple quantum well electro-absorption modulators for narrow band applications up to 40 GHz. In order to obtain higher RF efficiency at working frequencies of 20 GHz, 25 GHz and 40 GHz, modulators with monolithically integrated matching circuits were designed and fabricated utilizing co-planar waveguide MMIC technologies. Measurement results show excellent matching at specific frequencies with S11 of -16 dB for the 20 GHz devices, -20 dB for the 25 GHz devices and -36 dB for the 40 GHz devices. At least 6 dB of improvement on optical modulation efficiency can be expected over modulators without impedance matching.

Date Published: 22 November 1996
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 2844, Photonics and Radio Frequency, (22 November 1996); doi: 10.1117/12.258993

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2844:
Photonics and Radio Frequency
Brian M. Hendrickson, Editor(s)