Semiconductor Integrated Optics For Switching Light

Semiconductor Integrated Optics for Switching Light (Second Edition) provides concise description of the physics and engineering of semiconductor optical waveguides for photonic and electronic switching with a focus on optical communication applications. It provides Python notebooks that illustrate the concepts discussed in the book. The book includes the following topics: linear and nonlinear optics, linear electro-optic effect electroabsorption and electrorefraction, nonlinear refraction, nonlinear optical devices.

This book covers the technology of switching or modulating light in semiconductor optical waveguides. Currently a key function for optical communications systems is the conversion of data from an electrical signal to an optical signal for transmission in very low loss optical fibres and the converse process of optical to electrical conversion the O/E/O data conversion. This conversion between electronic and photonic signals imposes an energy consumption overhead on optical communication systems. So many research workers have been attracted to ultrafast all-optical switching of data in different formats. As a way of introduction to all-optical switching in semiconductor waveguides the book covers the electro-optic effect, electroabsorption and electrorefraction; effects that can be used in semiconductor optical modulation devices. But the book focuses on all-optical switching using second and third order optical nonlinearities in AlGaAs optical waveguides. It covers a variety of device configurations including integrated nonlinear couplers and Mach-Zehnder interferometers. Further, it provides design software in suit of Mathematica notebooks that can be used to explore the device design.

This book covers the technology of switching or modulating light in semiconductor optical waveguides. Currently a key function for optical communications systems is the conversion of data from an electrical signal to an optical signal for transmission in very low loss optical fibres and the converse process of optical to electrical conversion the O/E/O data conversion. This conversion between electronic and photonic signals imposes an energy consumption overhead on optical communication systems. So many research workers have been attracted to ultrafast all-optical switching of data in different formats. As a way of introduction to all-optical switching in semiconductor waveguides the book covers the electro-optic effect, electroabsorption and electrorefraction; effects that can be used in semiconductor optical modulation devices. But the book focuses on all-optical switching using second and third order optical nonlinearities in AlGaAs optical waveguides. It covers a variety of device configurations including integrated nonlinear couplers and Mach-Zehnder interferometers. Further, it provides design software in suit of Mathematica notebooks that can be used to explore the device design.

This book brings together two broad themes that have generated a great deal of interest and excitement in the scientific and technical community in the last 100 years or so: quantum tunnelling and nonlinear dynamical systems. It applies these themes to nanostructured solid state heterostructures operating at room temperature to gain insight into novel photonic devices, systems and applications.

This comprehensive book introduces semiconductors and integrated optics and provides in-depth derivations and analysis of key integrated optical components for more advanced study. The author emphasizes practical application -- developing and explaining the concepts and techniques needed to understand the engineering issues and solve real-world problems. With its clear explanations and design examples, the book provides experienced and budding engineers with the information necessary to design the structure and fabrication process of a semiconductor integrated optical device. Invaluable for engineers and applied scientists in optics/semiconductors, R& D engineers in communications, sensors, and medicine, and graduate students. Complete with 280 equations and 95 illustrations.